Syrian forces shot dead at least 12 civilians in attacks on pro-democracy protesters after Friday prayers as well as in a military offensive to subdue rebellious towns and to pursue army deserters in the northeast, activists said.
Most of the killings occurred in the countryside around the city of Hama and in Jabal al-Zawiya, a rugged region near Turkey, both scenes of a large armour-backed military operation since last week.
Protesters were also killed on the edge of Damascus, including a 12-year old boy, and in Homs, 165 km (100 miles) to the north, they said.
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