Syrian forces open fire in Deraa

4/25/2011

CAIRO — Syrian security forces backed by armoured vehicles entered the southern town of Deraa overnight and opened fire, a resident told Al Jazeera television on Monday.

“They were firing. Witnesses have told me that there have been five deaths so far, and houses have become hospitals,” a Deraa resident named Mohsen told the station by telephone.

Arabiya television also reported deaths in the town, but did not immediately give further details. Deraa was the scene of the start of protests against the rule of President Bashar al-Assad five weeks ago.