Yemen, Syria, Bahrain (and Beyond) LiveBlog: And the Downbeat Goes On

View LCCSyria Protest Map June 10, 2011 in a larger map

Activists have created this map of protests today during "Syria's Day of Clans"

2055 GMT: A doctor has told Reuters that the death toll from the regime bombardment of opposition-held Misurata, Libya's third-largest city, has risen to 31. More than 110 people are wounded.

1739 GMT: Earlier, we reported that helicopters were being used to shoot civilians in the streets of Ma'ara Al Nu'man. Another source now says that security forces are going door to door, searching for defected sodliers. 

1729 GMT: Pro-democracy demonstrations were disrupted at Aleppo Unviersity, where some 50 students were arrested. Elsewhere in Aleppo there were also protests, and many activists are reporting that this is the first time Aleppo has seen major demonstrations during the daytime. 

Demonstrations were also larger and more widespread in Damascus than they have been in recent weeks. An activist has posted the locations of the protests on this map.

Map of protests in Damascus, 06/10/2011

1718 GMT: The Bahrain Grand Prix is officially canceled, according to Formula One. Finally, and for good, we think.

1709 GMT: The Libyan Youth Movement Provides us with a map of the front lines (updates 6/08/11).

1656 GMT: CNN's Ivan Watson is reporting that Syrian soldiers and attack helicopters have opened fire on protesters in Ma'arit al Noman, and protesters cannot even reach the dead to remove them from the streets because the firing is continuous. 

1652 GMT: According to Reuters, activists are claiming that 28 civilians have been killed in pro-democracy rallies across Syria. 

1644 GMT: Back from a break to find an act of senseless violence in Bahrain.

In this video, a group of women stand near a street corner.Apparently, they are gathering to join a protest. A security SUV pulls in front of them, and a loud explosion breaks the silence. A cloud of smoke can be seen afterwards. The description of the video says that an explosive device (perhaps a flash grenade) was thrown at them, and at least one of the women was hurt.

1528 GMT: Al Jazeera's Tony Birtley, reporting from Al Dafniya, has this report on the battles near Misurata:

"It died down a little bit now, but after nine intensive hours, bombardments were non-stop. We were at a former garage workshop that has been turned into a mash unit, and body after body after casualty was being brought in there. It was complete mayhem." 

"They can do the absolute basic surgery there to help them out and hopefully they can keep them alive long enough to Misurata for more intensive treatment."

1524 GMT: Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan has condemned Syria, saying that Turkey can no longer support the actions of the regime (video). 

Syria's list of allies grows thin, perhaps consisting only of Iran.

1507 GMT: Razan Zeitouneh, a human rights lawyer in Damascus, has given the Guardian a report of activity in Syria. She said that this was the largest protest since the Arab Spring started, and the protests have taken place in almost every major city and town in the country, including Aleppo and Damascus. 

According to her report, 19 people have been killed, not including those killed in the Idlib region, near Jisr al Shughour, where a military perimeter prevents anyone from traveling in or out. The interesting piece of this part of her report, however, is that the military has advanced around Jisr al Shughour, but has yet to attack the town. 

Hear her entire interview below:

1500 GMT: There are reports that 4 people have been killed in the Al Qusoor district of Latakia. Also, a source has this update:

Mahmoud Abdalrazzaq Al Dagheem of Jirjnaz #Idlib- 26 years old, married with 2 kids, was martyred today. May he rest in peace. #Syria

1437 GMT: Many experts keep a watchful eye on Damascus and Aleppo, the two largest cities in Syria, and cities that have not seen protests as large as many other cities in the country. As long as Aleppo and Damascus remain loyal to the Assad regime, there may be enough of a buffer for Assad to retain power.

Over the weeks, we've seen that buffer zone slowly erode. In Aleppo, many protests have taken place, mostly at night. In Damascus, we have many reports today of larger protests, and even some violence, signs that things may be changing there.

Today, we have this video (courtesy of Al Jazeera), uploaded by a Syrian activist. It claims to show dozens of pro-government thugs who can clearly be seen carrying assault rifles, shotguns, and clubs. The video would suggest that protests in Damascus have been limited by fear, not because of large support of the Assad regime.

1416 GMT: According to AJE, NATO has disputed a claim, made by Libyan State TV, that a helicopter was shot down in Libya.

1402 GMT: Al Jazeera reports that "at least 17 people were killed and 40 injured in an attack by Gaddafi forces in the area of al Dafniah in Misurata."

Also, Libyan State TV is reporting that Gaddafi's forces have shot down a NATO helicopter off the coast of Zlitan, but there is no independant corroboration of this claim yet.

1359 GMT: Al Jazeera has posted video showing airstrikes against the Bab al-Azizia military compound in the southern suburbs of Libya. 

1353 GMT: The Guardian's Martin Chulov, who has spoken to many Syrian refugees who have fled Jisr al Shughour, has this report (video):

All of them have said unprompted that during the Syrian army operation last Saturday there were a number of men wearing black and fully bearded which is very unusual in Syria certainly among the security services.

Everybody has hinted, or said directly, that these people did not speak Arabic. The implications being that they may well have been Iranian.

Two days ago the Foreign Office in London said there had been Iranian officers on the ground in Syrian helping the regime.

We were told that these people played a significant role in helping with the technical side, but this is the first we've heard that there were unexplained people in the conflict zone standing alongside Syrian soldiers.

If Iran is involved on the ground it does mark a significant step upwards. It would say that there is some significant pressure being felt in Damascus and indeed by Iran if they are prepared to send people to front lines like this to assist the Syrians in a crackdown.

1324 GMT: Over 100,000 have gathered in Change Square in Sana'a, the capital of Yemen, to demand the resignation of wounded president Ali Abdullah Saleh.

[Reuters]Tribesmen, taking advantage of the relative quiet of the last few days, have also taken to the street, hosting a funeral procession for 41 fighters killed by government security forces. The procession was led by Sheik Sadeq al-Ahmar, and around 10,000 people joined the crowd. They chanted, "The people want the butcher put on trial."  

1244 GMT: Twitter is simply full of reports of military crackdowns, protests, and clashes all across Syria. According to several reports, tanks that were stationed on the outskirts of Da'el have entered the city of Daraa. According to the same source, the northern towns of Shaykh Sendyan and Saramanieh are being shelled by tanks as helicopters circle above nearby Jisr al Shughour. 

There is also a report that security forces have pushed into Al Qaboun, a neighborhood in the capital city, Damascus, where at least 1 person has been killed. Live fire was also used against protesters in Midan, Damascus.

We're not sure, but many have said that this is the first time live fire has been used in many of these neighborhoods in Damascus.

1230 GMT: Syria is hardly the only country in the region making news. Sources are reporting massive demonstrations in Yemen, both for an against the Saleh regime.

On a different front in Yemen, militant Islamic separatists attacked a military checkpoint in southern Yemen, killing 5 soldiers and losing 3 rebels in the attack. 

According to Yemeni officials, the attack in outside of al-Habilayn, a city in Lahj province, is the first such attack in 3 months. 

1224 GMT: There is a near-total communications blackout in the city of Jisr al Shughour. Some sources are reporting, however, that cell phones that utilize Turkish SIM cards are still up and running.

The military assaulth on the city seems to have begun. A source for Al Jazeera reports that 16 tanks have surrounded the city on all four sides and have commenced shelling.

“They have burned down all the crops in surrounding fields and the villagers are fleeing to the nearby mountain.” 

1209 GMT: Reports of casualties and gunfire are no coming in at a steady pace. There is a report of shoootings at a large protest in Lattakia, in the Bustan Al-Seidawi and Qussour neighbourhoods. Another source is reporting that security forces opened fire on protesters in Bayada, and there were several injuries. Finally, Reuters is reporting that 8 protesters have been shot in Deraa, the "cradle of the uprising."

1156 GMT: Residents are reporting that security forces have shot and killed two protesters in the village of Busra al-Harir, in the southern Hauran palin of Syria. 

1137 GMT: The people of Qamishil, Syria, take to the streets demanding the fall of the regime.

1132 GMT: Al Jazeera has this report, as people are taking to the streets across Syria:

"In Zabadani, a mountain town 45km north-west of Damascus, around 1,500 protesters are chanting for freedom, the toppling of the regime and an end to the military assault on Jisr al-Shughur, an eye witness told Al Jazeera.

"The procession left the Jisr Mosque after Friday prayers and are trying to merge with other demonstrations in the town, which came under a security clampdown after large anti-regime protests in early May.

"The eye witness said that the protest is peaceful so far and security forces have remained at the entrance to the town. Communication is up and running, except for the internet which is intermitted, as it is in the capital Damascus."

1127 GMT: Friday protests have started in the Syrian towns of Dir ALzour, Qamishly, Amouda and Homs. 

1121 GMT: The Al-Quds Al-Arabi Newspaper is reporting that many family members of Yemen's president Ali Abdullah Saleh have been evacuated to the UAE. The family members who have been evacuated include many of Saleh's grandchildren, the children of his sons who hold high positions in Yemen's security aparatus.

1114 GMT: James Miller reporting for duty.

In the video below, a man who identifies himself as Hussein Harmoush, an officer in the 11th Battalion, announces that he is defecting and joining the Syrian Youth (English subtitles).

1000 GMT: Claimed video of a pro-reform /protest in Karbabad in Bahrain last night:

0940 GMT: A follow-up on the curious case of the Syrian Ambassador to France, Lamia Chakkour, who on Tuesday apparently resigned on-air in an interview with France 24 but then phoned Al Jazeera hours later to deny the story....

France 24 has announced that it will file charges of "identity theft and impersonation" against the person who claimed to be Chakkour. The broadcaster adds that it has "no doubt" that Chakkour and the Syrian Embassy will give "total support" to the prosecution.

0655 GMT: Syrian state TV says the army has begun operations to "restore security" to the town of Jisr al-Shughour in the northwest.

State TV said "armed groups" had been in control of the town, where dozens of residents died last weekend, and had prepared defences.

Some of the 1700 refugees who have crossed the border into Turkey this week report that the military now occupies the town.

The Syrian regime claims the "armed groups" killed more than 120 security forces this week (see 0520 GMT).

0645 GMT: In what may be a significant change in rhetoric, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has sharply criticised the Syrian regime, specifically aiming at President Assad's brother Maher, who commands an elite military division: "Sadly, they don't behave humane...Now the barbarity...Now think [soldiers] pose [for a photo] in such an ugly way at the bedside of women who they killed...that these images cannot be digested."

Erdoğan hinted that Ankara will not protect Syria in the UN Security Council, saying that Damascus was putting the work of the body at risk: "Now there are preparations [in the Security Council]. We can't [support] Syria amidst all these."

Erdoğan recalled his telephone conversation with Assad earlier in the week: "I have talked to Mr. Bashar Assad 4-5 days ago. I explained this situation very clearly and openly. Despite this, they take this thing very easy. Sadly they tell us different things."

0540 GMT: Here in London, a cautious optimism among some academics and former diplomats about the situation in Libya. They point to a strategy of gradual advance against the Qaddafi regime, securing individual towns, for example, in the western mountains and on the Tunisian borders. Opposition forces probe an area, gathering information that can be used for NATO airstrikes in support of the ground battle, and then try to take control against depleted regime units. The insurgents can then set an example of their "rule" and what a post-Qaddafi country might offer.

A key point, the observers say, is whether the opposition's National Transitional Council and the local insurgents can hold out reconciliation and hope to regime troops, many of whom are fighting just to make enough money for their subsistence and that of their families. 

0520 GMT: Thanks to James Miller for taking you through Thursday while I am on conference duty.

It was a curiously drifting day, with stories and rumours of clashes and tragedies, but no major confirmations. In Syria, there is still no clarity of why more than 120 security forces supposedly died after close to 40 civilians were slain in Jisr al-Shughour in the northwest last weekend --- the hot speculation, including among analysts here in London is that there has been a bloody clash within the Syrian army after a rebellion by some forces.

Another tale was added yesterday. Activists are circulating the video of another teenager, Tamer al Sha'ry, who was supposedly arrested, tortured, and killed by security forces. Tamer's story joins that of 13-year-old Hamza al-Khateeb, whose alleged torture and mutilation has been a rallying point for resistance.

On another Protest Friday, we will be watching to see what emerges from Syria. But there is also the kaleidoscope of conflict in Yemen --- as James Miller noted yesterday, there is now a four-front conflict. The initial narrative of the Saleh regime facing pro-reform protests has been joined by the President's fight with break-away military forces, the regime confrontation with opposition tribesmen, and the insurgency in the south.

We will also be glancing at Bahrain, where the monarchy tries to keep the lid on dissent after the formal lifting of emergency rule last week. Ahram Online captures the downbeat:

In a poor district of Bahrain's capital, a few hundred people marched through cramped, crumbling alleyways banging pans and screaming, "Down with the regime."

A mile (1.5 km) away, in the city centre, with its gleaming malls and office blocks, no one heard them.