Syria protesters torch buildings (courthouse, headquarters of the ruling Baath party & more)

[Turborama]

Source: Al Jazeera English

Crowds have set fire to the courthouse and other buildings on a third straight day of demonstrations in the southern Syrian city of Daraa.

Residents said one person was killed and scores injured when security forces used live rounds against protesters. Witnesses said dozens were also taken to be treated for tear gas inhalation at the main Omari mosque.

Thousands took to the streets on Sunday, calling for an end to corruption and 48 years of emergency law and to protest the killing of five civilians in a similar demonstration two days earlier.

The headquarters of the ruling Baath party was set ablaze as well as two phone company branches. One of the firms, Syriatel, is owned by President Bashar al-Assad's cousin Rami Makhlouf, who is under specific US sanctions for what Washington regards as public corruption.

Read more: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/03/2011320113138901721.html

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Previous related LBN OPs...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4777117">Syrian plainclothes police forcefully disperse protest in Damascus / Protests across Syria

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4778374">Thousands of Syrian mourners call for revolt (Calls for "freedom" as police fire tear gas)

Video report from AJE...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x564917">After Online Calls For A "Day Of Dignity", Violence Flares At Syrian Protests

I know there's a lot going on in the world at the moment, but this thing that's kicking off in Syria really deserves a lot more attention. What's going on there has the potential of becoming extremely significant.

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. This prairie fire don't seem to stop

:-)

[Hardrada]

2. Can the sparks circle half a continent?

Would that they could!

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. Saudi has started having ahem issues

:-)

I posted it earlier today...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x703534

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x702984

[tcaudilllg]

5. House Saud is invincible.

The Saudis will suicide for them en mass.

[The Magistrate]

9. Passing Out One Hundred Twenty Billions, Sir, Looks Sort Of Vincible In A Pinch....

The House of Saud may well prove able to purchase continuance, but it not writ in stone they will maintain themselves in their present situation.

[The Magistrate]

6. This One Could Get Damned Interesting, Ma'am

What the old man did to Hama comes immediately to mind, and having acted in Libya as it has, the U.N. may be leaving itself little choice to keep going....

"In for a penny, in for a pound."

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. Yep, and there are so many cruise missiles.

This fire is leading strait to a realignment.

[tcaudilllg]

4. The U.S.'s next target...

Wouldn't mind seeing Assad go down. But I like Gadhafi. The world wouldn't be the same without him.

[ButterflyBlood]

8. Wow, outright admission to liking Gadaffi?

Amazing but then again I've seen things almost as ridiculous. But I'd say the world won't be the same in a better way without such a mass-murdering egomaniac lunatic in any position of power.

[tavalon]

10. What do you like about him?

Not snarky. I vaguely remember something I used to like about him too, but lately, I just can't remember.

[Hannah Bell]

11. google libya syria yemen

Russia plans navy bases in Libya, Syria,Yemen: report
http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE50F0LO20090116.

interesting.

[Hannah Bell]

14. k

[Change Happens]

12. More good news this morning, just read about Yemen, now this!!!

[oberliner]

13. Syria troops sent to Deraa, mourners demand freedom

(Reuters) - The Syrian army deployed on Monday at the entrances to the southern city of Deraa as officials tried to calm passions following protests for freedom in which five civilians died, residents said.

Thousands of mourners marched at the funeral of 23-year-old Raed al-Kerad, the latest protester to be killed by security forces on Sunday. Mourners chanted slogans demanding political freedom and an end to corruption.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/21/syria-army-idUSLDE72K11620110321

[Alamuti Lotus]

15. meanwhile, the US Government urged restraint

I think if thousands gathered in Mississippi chanting "Down with the Commie Muslim Kenyan Terrorist President!" and burned Democratic Party offices, there'd be no restraint from the feds.