Seven killed after Muslim Holiday in Syria

PanARMENIAN.Net - Syrian security forces opened fire on protesters, killing at least seven, a human rights activist said, after the Arab League's chief warned of a “catastrophic” situation if violence isn't halted.

The seven were killed in the cities of Homs, Hama and Idlib and another five were wounded in Damascus during protests against the rule of President Bashar al-Assad following prayers for the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha, Mahmoud Merei, head of the Arab Organization for Human Rights said.

More than 4,000 demonstrators have been slain in about eight months of protests against Assad's rule, according to Ammar Qurabi of the National Organization for Human Rights in Syria. The unrest was inspired by uprisings that toppled leaders in Libya, Tunisia and Egypt this year.

Assad has blamed the fighting on Islamic militants and foreign provocateurs, and has sent security forces to crush the demonstrations. The government on Nov. 2 agreed to an Arab League plan that calls for an end to all violence, the release of people held during protests and the clearing of cities and neighborhoods of “all military displays.”

Armed groups in Syria killed 23 army soldiers Nov 5, the official Syrian News Agency SANA reported, without saying when they were slain. Syrian army defectors killed 4 Syrian security personnel in Idlib, Al Jazeera said, according to Bloomberg.