Syria hit by violence after Friday prayers

DARAA, Syria, April 8 (UPI) -- Gunmen in the Syrian city of Daraa fired on civilians, security forces and an ambulance following Friday prayers, the official news agency reported.

Daraa was plagued recently by violence pitting pro-reform protesters against Syrian forces. Syrian President Bashar Assad made vague references to reform during a national speech last week, though he didn't lift a state of emergency in place since the 1960s.

The official Syrian Arab News Agency reported Friday that gunmen opened fire, killing at least one person, in Daraa after Friday prayers.

"The shooting began when the prayers were heading to gather at the center of the city," the report read. "A security forces member was martyred and scores of citizens, security forces and policemen were wounded."

Sources told al-Jazeera, however, that security forces used live ammunition against demonstrators in Daraa, killing seven. The Arab broadcaster said it couldn't verify the reports.

Assad last week said he formed a special committee to work on reform issues. Damascus has moved slowly out of isolation in recent years and Washington restored diplomatic ties with the appointment of a new ambassador in December.

Assad issued a decreed Thursday that gives Kurds in northeastern Syria citizenship. The Kurdish population lost Syrian citizens after the 1962 coup brought the Baathist government to power.

Last weekend he accepted the resignation of his entire Cabinet.