Syrian security forces clash with protesters

Townhall Staff | Jul 15, 2011

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Reporting from Beirut— Massive anti-government protests throughout Syria on Friday were met with brazen violence by security forces loyal to President Bashar Assad in defiance of increased Western pressure on the regime to radically reform.

At least 12 people were reported killed by midafternoon, with human rights activists warning that the number of dead was sure to rise, despite a purported "dialogue" between Assad's deputies and some regime critics that finished just days ago.