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Syria: Crackdown Continues Despite International Outcry

Categories: Middle East & North Africa, Syria, Breaking News, Human Rights, Humanitarian Response, Politics, Protest, War & Conflict

This post is part of our special coverage Syria Protests 2011 [1].

Protests are continuing across Syria, as the Syrian regime shows no signs of loosening its brutal crackdown despite an international outcry.

On Twitter, netizens continue to follow and react to developments on the ground. Dima Khatib writes [2]:

People flee their homes before the army of their OWN country reaches their towns —- only in Syria. So sad ! #syria #mar15

In another tweet she mocks the Arab League, a political bloc for leaders of the 22 Arab countries, who have just issued their first statement [3] regarding Syria since the violent crackdown on protesters started last March. Khatib tweets [4]:

Arab League finally turned on the TV to watch the news ! #Syria Just 3 months, 10000 refugees & 1000++ killed LATE ! #mar15

Tweets from foreign correspondents and anchors are an important means of getting reliable news from Syria.

Al Jazeera‘s correspondent Cal Perry tells us [5]:

The Syrian government has run out of space in it's prisons, and is now using outdoor stadiums and schools. #Syria

Another Al Jazeera correspondent, Alan Fisher explains [6]:

#Syria security forces reportedly widening operation in country's north to crack down on anti-government protests

Meanwhile, back in Egypt Nasry Esmat wonders [7] where Syria's president Bashar Al Assad is:

Diary from #Syria: Where is Assad? http://bit.ly/mHlsqr Where he is indeed: to reforming, stepping aside, or losing power?

And Revolution Syria shares [8] a video [9] showing protesters celebrating the withdrawal of tanks from Homs.

The Twitter user comments:

What happens in #Homs when tanks leave the city? A protest party! #Syria http://fb.me/PhMFRZUD

The user shares [10] another video of a protest [11], also from last night, and also in Homs:

In this video, the protesters are seen clapping and signing national chants.

This post is part of our special coverage Syria Protests 2011 [1].

Thumbnail image by Thorsten Strasas [12], copyright Demotix. ‘Candles burn candles in the shape of the phrase: “Freedom for Syria.” Roughly 50 people held a moment of silence and lit candles to remind the world of the death of 13-year-old Hamzah Ali Alkhateeb, who was killed by Syrian army in Seda, and all other victims of the Syrian regime, Berlin, Germany (01/06/11).