Mass protests across Syria defying army deployment*****

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FE Team | Published: April 30, 2011 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00

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DAMASCUS, Apr 29 (Reuters): Tens of thousands of Syrians demonstrated in urban centers Friday in solidarity with the besieged city of Deraa and demanding political freedoms, in defiance of heavy army and security forces deployment. Demonstrations erupted in at least one Damascus suburb, the central city of Homs and the coastal town of Banias as well as in eastern Syria. Two small protests also started in central Damascus, witnesses, an opposition leader and a human rights group said BEIRUT - An eyewitness say Syrian security forces have opened fire on a demonstration in the coastal city of Latakia, wounding at least five people. The witness said about 1,000 people were holding an anti-government rally in the coastal city when plainclothes security agents with automatic rifles opened fire. The witness asked that his name not be used for fear of reprisals. Other demonstrations have been reported in Banias and in the northeastern city of Qamishli. The government in recent days has stepped up its deadly crackdown on protesters by unleashing the army along with snipers and tanks. Since the uprising began in mid-March, inspired by revolts across the Arab world, more than 450 people have been killed in Syria.