At least 23 killed during widespread protests in Syria

 Protest in Deraa (AFP)

At least 23 people have been killed in Syria on Friday during protests against the rule of President Bashar al-Assad. According to sources the victims fell in the southern city of Deraa. Others talked about the possiblity that more people were killed in this city, while it is unknown whether people were killed at protests . which took place elsewhere ij many place troughout the country.  In the east, thousands of ethnic Kurds demonstrated for reform despite the president's offer this week to ease rules which bar many Kurds from citizenship, activists said. Other rallies were held from the Mediterranean port of Latakia to Albu Kamal on the Iraqi border. Places were demonstrations took place were Banias, Tartous, Douma, Tel, Hama, al-Salamia east of Hama, Homs, the Damascus suburb of Harasta and the Kfar Souseh district of Damascus
In Deraa, where demonstrations first broke out in March, residents said security forces fired on thousands of protesters, who set fire to a building belonging to the ruling Baath Party and smashed a statue of the president's brother, Basil. At least 23 people were killed and 120 wounded.