Syria opposition demands reform, vows protests

Syrian resistance figures said Wednesday their "massive waged people revolution" will break the regime unless President Bashar Assad leads a change to democratic state, even as authorities intensify their onslaught on the country's rebellion.

The announcement from an umbrella group of opposition activists in Syria and overseas called the National Initiative for Change said a elected conversion will "safeguard the nation from falling into a period of violent behavior, chaos and civil war."

"If the Syrian president does not wish to be evidenced in history as a leader of this transition period, there is no alternative left for Syrians apart from to move onward along the same path as did the Tunisians, Egyptians and Libyans before them," the declaration said.

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Thousands of Syrian troops raid rebellious city

Thousands of soldiers backed by tanks and snipers moved in previous to dawn to the city where Syria's anti-government rebellion began, reasoning panic in the streets when they opened fire haphazardly on civilians and went house-to-house rounding up supposed protesters. At least 11 people were killed and 14 others lay in the streets — either dead or grimly wounded, witnesses said.

The military raids on the southern city of Daraa and at least two other areas optional Syria is trying to impose military control on the centers of protest in opposition to President Bashar Assad, whose family has ruled Syria for four decades. Residents and human rights activists said the command wants to terrify opponents and frighten them from staging any more exhibitions.

The disgusting was painstakingly planned: Electricity, water and mobile phone services were cut. Security agents armed with guns and knives conduct house-to-house sweeps, neighborhoods were sectioned off and checkpoints were erect previous to the sun rose.

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5 killed in new Syria clashes, witnesses say

Syria sharply raise its already lethal campaign to crush a five-week uprising near the beginning Monday, sending troops backed by tanks, snipers and knife-wielding security forces into the southern city where the revolt began. At least five people were killed and dozens arrested, witnesses and activist said.

The offensive into Daraa was the most intense in a sequence of actions to put down dissent and come into view part of new plan for pre-emptive strikes against the antagonism to President Bashar Assad's regime rather than react to marches and protests.

More than 300 people have been killed transversely the country since the uprising began. But the harsh crackdowns have only served to bolster protesters, who started with calls for reserved reforms but are now gradually more demanding Assad's downfall.

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