Heads up: the above clip is a "VERY graphic video, purportedly from Latakia, show[ing] a person shot in the head." This week's Friday protests against Assad appear unprecedented:
Razan Zeitouneh, a human rights lawyer in Damascus, has given the Guardian a report of activity in Syria. She said that this was the largest protest since the Arab Spring started, and the protests have taken place in almost every major city and town in the country, including Aleppo and Damascus.
According to her report, 19 people have been killed, not including those killed in the Idlib region, near Jisr al Shughour, where a military perimeter prevents anyone from traveling in or out. The interesting piece of this part of her report, however, is that the military has advanced around Jisr al Shughour, but has yet to attack the town.
Until now, reports Al Jazeera. Track AJE's updates here. Enduring America has excellent coverage today:
1437 GMT: Many experts keep a watchful eye on Damascus and Aleppo, the two largest cities in Syria, and cities that have not seen protests as large as many other cities in the country. As long as Aleppo and Damascus remain loyal to the Assad regime, there may be enough of a buffer for Assad to retain power.
Over the weeks, we've seen that buffer zone slowly erode. In Aleppo, many protests have taken place, mostly at night. In Damascus, we have many reports today of larger protests, and even some violence, signs that things may be changing there.
Today, we have this video (courtesy of Al Jazeera), uploaded by a Syrian activist. It claims to show dozens of pro-government thugs who can clearly be seen carrying assault rifles, shotguns, and clubs. The video would suggest that protests in Damascus have been limited by fear, not because of large support of the Assad regime.
1524 GMT: Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan has condemned Syria, saying that Turkey can no longer support the actions of the regime (video). Syria's list of allies grows thin, perhaps consisting only of Iran.
The Dish 