Security forces fired tear gas and beat protesters with batons yesterday as tens of thousands of people marched towards the Syrian capital demanding far greater reforms than the limited concessions offered by President Bashar Assad over the past four weeks.
Violence in the Damascus suburb of Douma was reported after Friday prayers, the main day for demonstrations across the Arab world. The attempt to reach the capital was a bold action by a protest movement that has mostly stayed outside Damascus. The protesters in Douma held up yellow cards, which they said was a football-inspired warning to the regime. "This is our first warning, next time we will come with the red cards," said one man.
By Bassem Mroue in Beirut, AP
