Syria cracks down on protestors

At least 15 people are now dead after troops opened fire on demonstrators in the city of Deraa in Syria where unrest began in mid-March to protest against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.



There are also unconfirmed reports that four soldiers had been killed and two others captured in a terrorist attack on their post in Deraa earlier today.



Reports say thousands of protesters have also taken to the streets of the Syrian capital of Damascus and around the country.



According to witnesses troops opened fire on villagers marching on Deraa, which has been under military blockade since Monday.



A medical source says 15 bullet-riddled bodies of civilians had been received at a hospital near the city.



Activists and human rights groups say the recent crackdown on anti-government dissent has left some 500 people dead.