Syrian forces and gunmen loyal to President Bashar al-Assad shot dead at least six civilians in the second day of raids on the city of Hama on Tuesday to crush protests against his rule, residents and activists said.
They said the dead included two brothers, Baha and Khaled al-Nahar, who were killed at a roundabout in the city, with the attacks focusing on the al-Souk area and al-Hader district north of the Orontes river, which divides the city of 650,000 people. Tanks, which deployed around Hama on Monday, remained surrounding the city, but did not enter, they added.