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Syrian Army Enters Banias After Protesters Killed

   VOA News  April 11, 2011
   Syrian state television video footage shows mourners carrying a coffin
   during the funeral of two members of the security forces after they
   were allegedly killed by "armed groups", in Hama, north of Damascus, on
   April 10, 2011

Photo: AFP/Syrian TV

   Syrian state television video footage shows mourners carrying a coffin
   during the funeral of two members of the security forces after they
   were allegedly killed by "armed groups", in Hama, north of Damascus, on
   April 10, 2011

   Syrian troops have moved into the coastal city of Banias following
   shootings in the city that left four anti-government protesters dead.
   Witnesses say soldiers on trucks and tanks were deployed to Banias
   early Monday and were taking up positions around the city.
   Witnesses and human rights activists say security forces and
   pro-government gunmen killed four protesters and wounded dozens Sunday
   as demonstrators gathered at the Al-Rahman mosque for an
   anti-government rally.
   State-run media reported that nine Syrian security officers were also
   killed when their patrol was ambushed near Banias in apparent
   retaliation.
   The government blames the violence on armed gangs and has vowed to
   crush further unrest.
   Anti-government protests erupted in Syria more than three weeks ago and
   have been spreading, with demonstrators calling for sweeping political
   reforms. President Bashar al-Assad has responded with both force and
   limited concessions that have failed to satisfy demands for an overhaul
   of Syrian institutions.
   State media quoted Assad on Sunday as saying the country is on the road
   to comprehensive reforms.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP and AFP.

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References

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