JORDAN: Protesters gather outside the Syrian embassy in Amman to demonstrate against the attacks in Homs that killed more than 200 people

Record ID: 280205

  • Title: JORDAN: Protesters gather outside the Syrian embassy in Amman to demonstrate against the attacks in Homs that killed more than 200 people
  • Date: 5th February 2012
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) ACTIVIST NIZAR HARAKI FROM DERAA IN SYRIA, SAYING: "This massacre took place in front of the Arabs, Muslims and the entire world that claims to be civilised in the 21st century. We are here to show solidarity with our people and to denounce the existence of this embassy that works for a regime that uses only violence in the 21st century against its peo
  • Embargoed: 20th February 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Jordan, Jordan
  • Country: Jordan
  • Topics: Conflict
  • Reuters ID: LVAEFMZ3M4H0F7WPNL5MJBLF1A3F
  • Story Text: Demonstrations took place outside Syrian embassies in the Middle East, Europe and the United States on Saturday (February 4) to protest against the latest violence in Syria.
    Activists said Syrian forces killed more than 200 people in an assault on the city of Homs, the bloodiest day of an 11-month uprising against President Bashar al-Assad.
    In the Jordanian capital Amman, demonstrators waved the green-white-black Syrian flag used by the Syrian National Council and the Free Syrian Army.
    Jordan deployed police to protect the embassy compound after Syrian diplomatic missions were attacked in Egypt, Libya, Berlin and other cities.
    Demonstrator Nizar Haraki from Syria called on the international community not to let the bloodshed in his country continue.
    "This massacre took place in front of the Arabs, Muslims and the entire world that claims to be civilised in the 21st century. We are here to show solidarity with our people and to denounce the existence of this embassy that works for a regime that uses only violence in the 21st century against its people."
    Residents said Syrian forces began shelling the Khalidiya neighbourhood at around 8 p.m. (1800 GMT) on Friday using artillery and mortars. They said at least 36 houses were completely destroyed with families inside.
    An activist in the neighbourhood contacted by Reuters said residents were using primitive tools to rescue people. They feared many were buried under rubble.
    A third Khalidiya resident, speaking by telephone with wailing and cries of "Allahu akbar" (God is greatest) audible in the background, said at least 40 corpses had been retrieved from streets and damaged buildings.
    Syria denied shelling the area and said internet video of corpses was staged. It is not possible to verify activist or state media reports as Syria restricts independent media access.
    Later on Saturday, the U.N. Security Council was expected to vote on a draft resolution condemning the Syrian government's crackdown on protests and backing an Arab League peace plan that would see power transfer from Assad to a deputy.
    END
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register