Syria's Muslim Brotherhood accused the regime of President Bashar al-Assad on Friday of carrying out genocide in the country and called on citizens not to yield to tyrants.

"Every Syrian citizen knows that the regime is perpetrating genocide on Syrian territory, which is targeting the desire for emancipation expressed by the revolt of young patriots aspiring to liberty and dignity," the group said in a statement obtained by AFP.

"God created you free; do not let the tyrants keep you in slavery," the statement added. "Cry with one voice for liberty and dignity."

Activists have called for "day of rage" protests across Syria after the Friday weekly Muslim prayers, piling pressure on Assad as his regime presses a violent crackdown on dissent that broke out in mid-March. Rights groups say the government repression has killed at least 453 civilians.