Syrian police shoot dead thirteen protestors...

Syrian security forces have killed at least 13 people after they opened fire to disperse thousands protesting against Bashar al-Assad.

Troops used live ammunition on crowds of people in the southern city of Deraa, where protests first erupted last month.

And in the east, thousands of ethnic Kurds called for reform despite an offer by the president this week to ease rules barring many Kurds from citizenship.

One witness said: 'I saw pools of blood and three bodies in the street being picked up by relatives in the Mahatta area.'

Protest also erupted in the western city of Homs and gunfire was heard in the Damascus suburb of Harasta. More + photos...

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