Syrian special task services killed more than 360 people in popular uprisings during the first half of the holy Islamic month of Ramadan, Syrian media sources reported on Wednesday citing combined data from local rights organizations.
The Syrian authorities intensified their crackdown on protesters with the beginning of Ramadan, fearing that the dissent would use massive daily prayers at mosques to organize larger protests.
Syria's Mediterranean port city of Latakia saw 36 people, including children, killed by special task forces over the past four days while over 100 were wounded in the mass crackdown on protesters.
Eyewitnesses say that the authorities prohibited rendering medical assistance to those wounded in the protests without preliminary approval from police officers.
Those with gun wounds in Latakia can be treated only in municipal hospitals under tight control from police. Doctors, who provide medical assistance without permission, are arrested.
Syria has been rocked by mass protests demanding reforms and the resignation of President Bashar al-Assad for almost six months. Pressure from international powers has mounted to end the crackdown.
Over 2,000 civilians are thought to have been killed since protests began in the southern city of Deraa in mid-March. According to government data, over 500 servicemen and security officers were also killed.
