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    November 04, 2011

Syria Continues Crackdown Despite Pledges to Arab League

   Elizabeth Arrott | Cairo
   Demonstrators protesting against Syria's President Bashar al-Assad
   gather in Hula, near Homs in this undated handout released November 4,
   2011.
   Photo: Reuters
   Demonstrators protesting against Syria's President Bashar al-Assad
   gather in Hula, near Homs in this undated handout released November 4,
   2011.

   Activists say Syrian security forces have killed at least 13 people as
   thousands of protesters rallied across Syria Friday to test the
   government's acceptance of an Arab League peace initiative.
   The Syrian opposition say among the dead are victims of sniper attacks
   and artillery fire. Activists say tanks were used against protesters in
   the Baba Amr district of Homs, one of the hardest hit areas during the
   uprising.
   Demonstrators were out in huge numbers Friday, to see how the
   government would adhere to promises it made Wednesday at the Arab
   League to pull armed forces from the streets, stop attacks on civilians
   and begin a dialogue with its opponents.
   Protesters clapped and chanted in Deir ez Zor, and other towns and
   cities across the country, but most found not much had changed.
   According to the opposition, troops once again surrounded mosques after
   midday prayers, firing weapons to keep people from congregating.
   In Hama, would-be protesters shouted "God is great" as troops opened
   fire.
   State media countered with reports of more casualties among government
   forces, accusing "armed terrorist groups" - a phrase often used to
   describe protesters - of killing personnel in Homs, Hama and Idlib.
   Accounts are difficult to verify, as the government has barred
   journalists from working independently in the country.
   Among the various pledges Syria made to the Arab League was to allow in
   foreign media, but obstacles to entry remain. And with the larger
   issues of the regional deal - troop withdrawal, talks and the release
   of political prisoners - also unresolved Friday, opponents argued that
   the government was simply playing for time.
   Arab League officials conceded they had no guarantees that Syria would
   keep its promises, saying only they would call another meeting should
   the violence continue. But many of the country's military defectors say
   they will remain committed to peaceful protest against the government,
   at least for now.

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