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    October 29, 2011

3 Killed After Syrian Forces Launch Raids

   VOA News
   Demonstrators protesting against Syria's President Bashar al-Assad
   march through the streets after Friday prayers in Hula, near Homs,
   October 28, 2011. Photo: Reuters
   Demonstrators protesting against Syria's President Bashar al-Assad
   march through the streets after Friday prayers in Hula, near Homs,
   October 28, 2011.

   Activists say at least three people are dead after Syrian security
   forces launched sweeping raids, Saturday, in the flashpoint Homs
   region.
   Activists and residents say heavy shelling could be heard in the
   central district as government forces in armored vehicles pushed into
   the area. They say security forces also launched raids in the eastern
   city of Deir el-Zour.
   The apparent crackdown on dissent comes a day after security forces
   killed at least 40 people as anti-government protesters rallied across
   the country. Activists said most of the deaths occurred in the Homs and
   Hama regions.
   Meanwhile, Arab League ministers plan to meet with Syrian officials on
   Sunday to discuss ways to end the deadly violence from anti-government
   protests.
   The group announced the upcoming meeting in Qatar Friday as its senior
   ministers sent an urgent message to President Bashar al-Assad to stop
   the crackdown on opposition protests.
   Assad has been facing growing international condemnation for his
   crackdown. The United Nations says the death toll from seven months of
   anti-government protests has topped 3,000.
   Opposition activists had urged protesters to rally Friday for a "no
   fly" zone. The activists made the call on social media sites, saying
   the flight restrictions are needed to help protect civilians from
   government forces.

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

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