Syria racked by violence

• Tweet

DARAA, Syria, March 21 (UPI) -- Large numbers of protesters clashed with police in Syria Sunday with deaths reported on both sides.

The New York Times reported witnesses said protesters set fire to the ruling Baath Party's headquarters and other government buildings in Daraa. That provoked police to fire tear gas and live ammunition into the crowds, which numbered in the thousands, with witnesses saying at least one person died and dozens more were wounded.

The Chinese news agency Xinhua reported the Damascus Press Web site said seven security force members were killed while trying to disperse the rioters.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had sent a delegation to express condolences to the families of the victims of the recent violence but the conciliatory act failed to dampen the crowds' anger.

"No fear after today," witnesses said the crowd chanted.

Protesters also burned the town's main courthouse and a telephone company office.