7 killed as Syrian forces seize Daraa mosque

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DAMASCUS: Troops and snipers killed six civilians on Saturday in the flashpoint Syrian city of Daraa, activists said, as people buried scores of people killed in a "day of rage" on Friday.

As protesters buried scores of people killed Friday in a "day of rage," activists vowed to keep up the pressure on the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, promising a new week of pro-democracy rallies.

And 138 more members of Assad's ruling Baath Party quit in protest at the deadly crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators, according to collective resignation lists received by AFP in Nicosia.

At least 66 people were killed on Friday when tens of thousands of people demonstrated across Syria, activists said, while authorities said nine members of the security forces were shot dead by "terrorist groups."

The activists said countrywide protests from Sunday would kick off a "week of breaking the siege" -- a reference to the besieged southern city of Daraa and the Damascus suburb of Douma, which the army has controlled since Monday.

Demonstrations would take place on Sunday in the southern protest hub town of Daraa and around Damascus on Monday.

Rallies are planned Tuesday in the northern towns of Banias and Jableh, Wednesday in Homs, Talbisseh and in Tall Kalakh on the border with Lebanon and nationwide night vigils on Thursday.

On Saturday six more civilians were killed when the army began pounding Daraa at dawn while snipers opened fire from rooftops on anyone venturing on the streets, activists said.

"There are six dead" in Daraa, one said, quoting witnesses. "The town is besieged. Food, water and medicine are running out."

Water and power have been cut in Daraa as the situation worsened after 3,000-5,000 troops backed by tanks stormed the town on Monday.

"The town is a military zone and the situation is tragic, but our morale is high," Daraa activist Abdullah Abazid said. (AFP)