Video reveals bloody aftermath of Syrian shootings

Videos have been posted on YouTube revealing the chaos and panic on the streets of Latakia, showing blood soaked protesters and civilians lying shot on the ground.

The videos, which cannot be independently verified, appear to have been taken yesterday after President Assad spoke to the nation in a televised address.

During his speech he dashed protestors’ expectations, making no mention of lifting the state of emergency. He said the unrest in the country was the result of a “big conspiracy”. But on Thursday the state news agency SANA said that a committee would be set up to investigate the deaths of both civilians and members of the security forces in Latakia and the southern city of Deraa.

In the past few weeks more than 60 people had been killed in Deraa during a series of ever-larger demonstrations which were sparked when teenagers were detained for writing anti-government graffiti.

Hours after Assad’s speech on Wednesday, reports said that troops had fired upon more than 100 people in Latakia. The aftermath of these shootings appear to have been caught on mobile phone footage.

Chaos and anger

The videos contain graphic footage showing several shots of men being assisted by panicked crowds as they lay critically injured on the floor.

The crowd is heard to shout for water, assistance and demand to know who is responsible.

As they film the wounded on mobile phones another man is seen to run down an alley shouting that the shooting is not the fault of the army – instead he says it is the security forces that is firing.

Another video shows a man, who appears to be dead, being lifted away with heavy bloodstains pooling on the floor besides a bike.

Changing law

Central to the protesters demands has been the lifting of the emergency law. It was widely expect that President Assad would announce its repeal in his speech yesterday but Assad made no reference to the law.

Today however, the state news agency SANA said that a government panel would investigate the possibility of replacing the emergency law with new anti-terrorism legislation.

The emergency law has been used by the ruling Baath party to stop any opposition to its rule, allowing the government to stop political debate, control the media and arrest opponents. It was introduced in 1963 when the party took control in a coup.

On Tuesday, in a move largely seen as symbolic, the entire Syrian government was sacked. Many regarded the move as meaningless as the government had little authority – the main power has rested with Assad’s family and the security services.