‘At least 49 dead’ in Syrian protests

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Violence spreads

Inspired by uprisings across the Arab world, protests erupted on March 18 in southern city of Deraa.

More than 220 protests have been killed since the pro-democracy demonstrations began, including 21 this week in Homs, according to human rights campaigners.

The British Government urged its nationals to leave earlier this week as the violence escalated in the capital city.

Friday will be a day of reckoning. – Joshua Landis, Syrian expert at Oklahoma University

The Friday prayers tested whether President Bashar al Assad’s decision yesterday to lift emergency law, imposed by his Baath Party when it took power in a coup 48 years ago, would defuse a month of mass discontent with repression and corruption.

Aided by his family and a pervasive security apparatus, President Assad, 45, has absolute power in Syria.

A decree President Assad signed on Thursday that lifted emergency law is seen by the opposition as largely symbolic, since other laws still give security forces wide powers.

Line in the sand

Joshua Landis, a Syria expert at Oklahoma University, said the Syrian government had “drawn a line in the sand” after offering concessions, and that Assad made clear he believed “there is no longer reason to demonstrate”.

“The organisers of the revolution vowed to turn out their largest numbers yet … They are determined to bring down the regime and understand that this is their chance,” he said.

“Friday will be a day of reckoning”.

Homs residents organised neighbourhood patrols after 21 protesters were shot dead on Monday and Tuesday by security police and gunmen known as ‘al-shabbiha’.

“We are determined on totally peaceful protests … we rejoice at the downfall of the state of emergency. It was not lifted, it was toppled … With the help of God, we will embark on freedom,” a comment on a Facebook page run by activists said.

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