Syrian security forces have deployed heavily in a tense Damascus neighborhood, preventing a repeat of one of the largest anti-government rallies seen in the capital, as violence continued in protest hubs elsewhere in the country.
Activists said Sunday that police forced the family of a young protester killed the day before during a mass protest to bury him earlier than planned in an apparent bid to head off more demonstrations.
They said security forces and pro-government militiamen known as ‘shabbiha’ surrounded Samer al-Khatib’s funeral as he was buried quietly Sunday, in stark contrast to funerals Saturday when thousands of protesters took part in a procession for several people killed the previous day by government forces.
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