Syrian security forces fire on rallies, killing 20

Syrian security forces killed more than 20 people today and authorities disrupted telephone and Internet service in restive areas during mass protests calling for the downfall of President Bashar Assad's regime, activists said.

Syria's uprising has proved remarkably resilient over the past seven months, with protests erupting every week to denounce the regime. The UN estimates the government crackdown on the protests has killed 3,000 people since March.

Today's death toll was more than 20, according to two main activist groups, the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Local Coordinating Committees.

Syria has largely sealed off the country from foreign journalists and prevented independent reporting, making it difficult to confirm events on the ground.

Communications were spotty Friday in the Damascus suburb of Douma and the central city of Homs, which have seen major anti-government protests, activists said. The move appeared to be an attempt to cut off the opposition's ability to organize and report on the protests.

Today's deaths were mostly in Homs and Hama in central Syria. "There was a very fierce reaction to the protests in Homs today," said Syria-based activist Mustafa Osso. Syrian forces opened fire as some 2,000 people gathered for protests, he said.

"There are many injured as well. Hospitals are having a hard time coping with the casualties," Osso told The Associated Press.