Mass demonstrations took place in the southern city of Daraa, Syria, on March 24th to commemorate the victims of a government attack on a mosque in Daraa where protestors had sought refuge. Approximately 20,000 people took to the streets for the funerals of the victims, a protest that soon became violent as security forces cracked down. The Syrian government has pledged to enact reforms in response to the demonstrations.

Syria death toll rises as protests intensify

(Euronews: 1145 PST, March 24, 2011) This raw, amatuer footage from Syria appears to show clashes between security forces and young protestors in Daraa. Reports claim that as many as 100 people have died.

Haitham Maleh and Iyas Maleh on Growing Protest Movement in Syria

(Democracy Now!: 0900 PST, March 24, 2011) Syrian human rights activists Haitham and Iyas Maleh speak to Democracy Now! about recent events in Syria from Brussels.

As the world's attention focuses on the West's intervention in Libya and emerging protest movements in Yemen and Syria, US and European inaction in Bahrain, where some of the most brutal repression of protestors has occurred, has come under fire.

Amnesty International tells West to stop arming Bahrain

(Press TV, London: 0527 PST, March 24, 2011) Amnesty International has just released a report condemning the use of force on protestors in Bahrain, and urging the United States and Europe to halt their arms trading policy with the Gulf kingdom. This comes after US and French-made tear gas canisters and rubber bullets were found in the wake of government attacks on protestors.

US Defends Bahrain Dictatorship

(The Real News: March 23, 2011) The Real News speaks with Husain Abdulla of Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain, who calls on the administration of US President Barack Obama to take a stronger stance against the government crackdown in Bahrain.

Bahrain: The British Connection

(Press TV Global News: 0546 PST, March 24, 2011) An in-depth look at the connection between the British government and the regime of its former colony, Bahrain.