Syrian troops fire at demonstrators

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Source: Aljazeera


At least eight people, including a child, reported killed while tanks have been used in Deir al-Zor province.

Syrian security forces have fired at demonstrators in the southern city of Deraa as tens of thousands again took to the streets across the country after Friday prayers to demand the downfall of President Bashar al-Assad, witnesses and activists said.

"The regime insists on confronting these protests with heavy power, with live ammunition, with security forces and with killing," Sadeq said.

This came amid reports of defected troops clashing with soldiers loyal to the ruling Baathist party. "Tanks entered the city overnight, but there is talk of entire army units defecting. Electricity and communications have been cut," a resident, who declined to be named, told Reuters.

On Sunday, Assad replaced the civilian governor of Deir al-Zor province with Samir Othman al-Sheikh, a secret police officer, two days after roughly 500,000 people held demonstrations against his government.

Read more: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/07/2011729143144837.html