BEIRUT — In a striking show of strength, the popular movement opposing Syrian President Bashar Assad took to the streets in large numbers across the country after weekly prayers, defying a campaign of violence and detentions by security forces.
Protesters’ exuberance in demonstrations from the Mediterranean coast to the east border, and north to south, appeared to catch authorities and even some activists off-guard. Assad’s aides had publicly claimed in recent days to have gained the upper hand. Some activists had tried to lower expectations for the protests after Friday prayers.
Instead, the size and scale of the civil disobedience appeared to show a new level of determination by a movement now loudly demanding an end to the 48-year-old regime run by Assad and a small group of relatives and cohorts.
Demonstrations broke out in the capital, Damascus, including in the Muhajereen district close to Assad’s residence, a sign they were spreading to the center of power.
“We knew that there would be a high price to pay for our freedom, but we’ve taken the first steps now, finally, and we will not turn back,” said a 50-year-old Damascus woman who took part in the protests, speaking on condition she not be named.
Protests also erupted in and around the besieged cities of Homs and Daraa, where tanks have fired at residential neighborhoods and security officials have searched houses for protesters.
“Zenga, zenga, dar, dar, we want your head, Bashar!” protesters in Homs chanted, borrowing a highly satirized phrase used by Libyan strongman Moammar Khadafy to emphasize his determination to fight the ongoing rebellion against his rule alley by alley and house by house.
It remained unclear whether the protests and the country’s leaderless opposition could bring about the downfall of Assad’s Baath Party regime, which appears to have maintained a tight grip over security forces.
Activists said at least six protesters were killed across the country. As violence has intensified in Syria, Obama administration officials have stepped up their condemnations and said they might expand U.S. sanctions to include more Syrian leaders, possibly including Assad.
Jay Carney, the White House press secretary, said Friday that “absent significant changes in the Syrian government’s current approach, the U.S. and its international partners will take additional steps to make clear our strong opposition to the Syrian government’s treatment of its people.”
