Deraa: Security forces fired on protesters outside a mosque in Deraa, killing at least five people, human rights activists say.
Earlier, hundreds of people had gathered in the streets outside the Omari mosque to prevent troops from storming it.
“They cut off electricity and the firing started,” one activist said.
The mosque has been the focus of anti-government demonstrations since Friday. At least 10 people have now been killed in clashes with police and soldiers.
UN Human Rights Commissioner Navi Pillay earlier urged the Syrian government to carry out a transparent investigation into the violence.
“We are greatly concerned by the recent killings of protesters in Syria and reiterate the need to put an immediate halt to the excessive use of force against peaceful protesters, especially the use of live ammunition.”
“People have the legitimate right to express their grievances and demands to their government, and we urge the Syrian government to enter into a broad, meaningful dialogue with the protesters.”
The EU has also strongly condemned the “unacceptable” crackdown.
It had been relatively quiet in Deraa on Tuesday after four days of clashes. Hundreds of people gathered around the Omari mosque in the Old City, but security forces personnel deployed there did disperse them.
By the afternoon, some protesters had erected tents outside the mosque. They said they were going to remain there until their demands were met.
But shortly after midnight, the power supply and telephone lines were cut.
Troops then moved in, firing live ammunition and tear gas at the protesters, witnesses said. Cries of “Allahu Akbar” (God is the greatest) were heard across the city following the gunfire.
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