Syrian Revolution Digest, March 24, 2011

The cities of Daraa and Nawa witnessed mass demonstrations this morning and throughout most of the day, as people attended funerals of several protesters killed during the raid on the Omary Mosque and Al-Karamah Square yesterday. The protests led to clashes with security forces who used tear gas. Reports on casualties were not available.

Riots were also reported from the Ghazar prison where most jailed protesters were being held. Witnesses say they saw flames and smoke rising from the building. No further details are available.

President Assad´s regime tried to placate the national tempers by making “concessions” while his spokeswoman Bouthaina Shaaban insisted on accusing foreign elements of being behind the “troubles”. Shaaban announced that salaries of public sector employees will be raised and that the state of emergency will be reviewed. Later the government furthermore announced that jailed protester would be released. Mazen Darwish, head of the Syrian Centre for Media and Freedom of Expression, was among those released today.

The Friday of Pride (Juma’at-ul ‘Izzah) is now the name assigned to tomorrow’s protests scheduled to take place after Noon Prayers, all over the country.

Daraa

Video released today shows the discussion of demands of protests in Omari Mosque before yesterday’s massacre.

Dubai

Video of a protest in front of the Syrian consulate in Dubai.

Sweden

A call for demonstration in front of the Syrian embassy in Stockholm tomorrow.

Reports

Amnesty International – Syria: Protesters Killed and Scores Detained Including Children.

Amnesty International – Spiralling Syria death toll reports ‘disturbing’.

TV Coverage

Aljazeera interview with eyewitness from Daraa.

Alarabiya report on Daraa in the morning.

Alhiwar interview with a mayor from Daraa

BBC interview with a Syrian activist

Syrian Official Stand

Press Conference of Bouthaina Shaaban, Adviser to President Assad.

Propaganda machine in action. Aldunia and Syrian state TV.

Interview of Syrian Grand Mufti Ahmad Hassoun, theological analysis on why not to join the revolution.

Interview of Islamic scholar Said Bouti to Syrian state TV in an attempt to contain Friday’s demonstrations.

Syrian state TV shows demonstrations of support to President Assad; Ghaddafi style.

International Reactions

Obama administration condemns Syria crackdown.

This digest was produced in cooperation with Kafa Samtan and the Strategic Research and Communication Centre.