A Syrian boy carries a banner during an anti-government demonstration in Syria (AP)
A Syrian boy carries a banner during an anti-government demonstration in Syria (AP)
At least 49 protesters have been killed in clashes with Syrian security forces, a human rights group has said.
Security forces fired live bullets and tear gas at tens of thousands of people shouting for freedom and democracy in several areas across the country.
Witnesses said they saw at least five bodies at the Hamdan hospital outside the capital, Damascus. All had suffered gunshot wounds.
In the southern province of Daraa, other witnesses said at least 10 people were killed when protesters marched in front of the mayor's office. They said an 11-year-old boy was among the dead.
Security forces have launched a deadly crackdown on a month-long uprising against Syria's authoritarian regime. More than 200 people have been killed in the past few weeks.