http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/143967Five people were killed in Homs and one was killed in Hama, according to rights groups.
"We were chanting, peaceful, peaceful, and we didn't even throw a stone at the security forces," said a witness in Homs who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity. "But they waited for us to reach the main square and then they opened fire on us."
Footage posted on YouTube showed Homa protesters trying to resuscitate a man lying on the ground with a bloodied face and shirt, while people shouted "God is great!"
Friday's "Day of Defiance" came in response to a bloody crackdown on Syria's uprising. More than 565 civilians and 100 soldiers have been killed since the revolt began in March, according to rights groups.
Rallies were held in major areas including the Damascus, Homs, Banias, and Qamishli.
"The people want to topple the regime!" protesters shouted.
Syria's President Bashar Al-Assad, who inherited his father's rule in 2000, is determined to crush the revolt that has become the gravest challenge to his family's 40-year dynasty. Security forces have repeatedly opened fire on protesters during rallies.
Last Friday alone at least 65 people were killed, according to rights groups.
The mounting death toll emboldened protesters instead of cowing them and has led to demands for nothing less than the end of Assad's regime - something few opposition leaders called for when the protests first broke out.
There also has been growing international condemnation of the government's tactics.
Syria blames the unrest on a foreign conspiracy and "terrorist groups" that it says have taken advantage of protests.
The uprising in Syria was sparked by the arrest of teenagers who scrawled anti-regime graffiti on a wall in Daraa. Protests spread quickly across the nation of some 23 million people.
As of Friday more than 565 civilians and 100 soldiers have been killed since the demonstrations began.
Syrian authorities also Friday detained Riad Seif, a leading opposition figure and former lawmaker who has been an outspoken critic of the regime during the seven-week uprising.
Friday's violence flies in the face of reports Syria's government is looking to negotiate a settlement with opposition groups.
Topic: Syrian Security Forces Kill 6+; Arrest Opposition Leader (Read 643 times)