Syria: ‘The week of breaking the siege’ starts Sunday

The Facebook group, The Syrian Revolution 2011, which boasts more than 158,000 followers and which has emerged as the organizing force behind the demonstrations that have been demanding “freedom” in Syria pledged new protests across Syria starting Sunday at the start of what they called “the week of breaking the siege ” in solidarity with Daraa the flashpoint of the Syrian uprising

The group reported on its Facebook page that the Syrian troops and snipers shot dead six people Saturday in Daraa and wounded over 140 . The group identified for of the victims as ;

1- Zaidan Omar Harizain

2 – Mohammad Ayman Bardan

3 – Mohammad al Jamous

4 – Radwan Jamil al Shahadat

The army has besieged Daraa since Monday, preventing anyone from entering or leaving the town where there are huge shortages of water, food and medicine,and baby milk

Snipers positioned on rooftops were targeting anyone leaving their homes, the group reported

Residents have also reported that some troops were “defecting” in protest against the deadly crackdown in Daraa.

“Some soldiers refuse to obey orders to fire and are breaking ranks and seeking refuge with residents,” the group reported

Abdallah Abizaid an activist told Al Jazeera that the doctors of Daraa were kidnapped by the regime forces

The group reported that 582 protesters have been killed by the Syrian security forces and the army since the uprising started on March 15. The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that at least 66 people were killed by security forces during massive protests across Syria on Friday, including 33 who died in Daraa alone and 539 have been killed since the uprising started

Burials

Syrian activists prepared on Saturday to bury the protesters that were killed on Friday pledged more anti-regime rallies in the days to come.

The Syrian Revolution group called funeral ceremonies that will be held across the country ” weddings for the martyrs” who fell on Friday.

“Your blood has paved the way for our freedom. We will pursue the road you traced for us with your blood,” said the group

“And we vow that your blood will not have been spilled in vain. The martyrs are eternal, but the criminals will end up in the dustbins of history after being judged and punished by the people,” the group said