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| Syria |
Syrian rights activists and residents say at least six people were killed on Wednesday after security forces carried out an attack near a site where anti-government protesters had gathered.
However, Syrian state media says four people were killed when an “armed gang” attacked a medical team. The state-run news agency SANA says the victims were three members of a medical team and one security force officer.
Daraa has been the site of several deadly encounters between the security forces and anti-government protesters. Security force officers killed four demonstrators on Friday. Another demonstrator was killed on Sunday, and an 11-year-old boy died Monday after inhaling tear gas.
The French foreign ministry on Wednesday condemned the violence in Syria and urged the government to enact political reforms.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad fired the governor of Daraa Province on Tuesday. But his dismissal failed to quell popular anger as protests reached several neighboring towns.
Protesters are demanding Assad end Syria's emergency law, curb its pervasive security apparatus, free thousands of political prisoners and allow freedom of expression.
Syria has been under emergency law since the Baath Party took power in a 1963, banning any opposition to its rule.
Sources: http://www.voanews.com
