Syrian security forces killed 15 people March 23 in the city of Deraa, witnesses and rights activists said. Seven were killed when security personnel fired on a group of protesters that gathered after dawn prayers outside al-Omari mosque. Later, about 3,000 protesters from neighboring towns gathered outside Deraa and clashed with an army unit. Syrian state television reported the government fired the governor of Deraa province, and promised reforms. The protest wave in Deraa was apparently sparked after local schoolchildren painted a mural depicting scenes and slogans from the recent revolutions in other Arab countries, and were detained by police. (CNN, FT, March 23)

Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalif announced March 21 that "a foreign plot" against the small Gulf state has been foiled. "There is a foreign plot that has been in the making for at least 20 to 30 years so that the ground is ready for its execution," said the king, in a clear allusion to Iran. But the crackdown on protesters in Bahrain has left many angry with the United States. At the Sadiq Mosque in Manama, Sheikh Issa Qassim said of the US: "They have influence they're not using to save the people here." One of the worshippers, Isa Ashoor, agreed: "Everybody is thinking America gave them the green light to beat the Bahraini people." (AGI, NPR, March 21)

Tanks were deployed in the Yemeni capital on March 21 as top generals pledged allegiance to the "revolution." Tanks took up positions in key locations across Sanaa including at the presidential palace, the central bank and the ministry of defense, but it is unclear what their orders are or who is in command. Ge. Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, commander of the Northwest Military District, announced: "The crisis is getting more complicated and it's pushing the country towards violence and civil war. According to what I'm feeling, and according to the feelings of my partner commanders and soldiers... I announce our support and our peaceful backing to the youth revolution."

As the West intervenes in Libya, protest and repression continue to escalate throughout the Arab world. On March 20, lawmakers in Bahrain called on King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to declare a state of emergency and invoke martial law after 5,000 protesters marched to demand an end to the monarchy. In Yemen, President Ali Abdullah Saleh declared a state of emergency throughout the country March 18—one day after a massacre of protesters in the capital, Sanaa. The state of emergency will last 30 days and gives security forces greater powers to maintain order. Saleh stated that a "committee of neutral bodies" will investigate the massacre and called those killed during the protest "martyrs of democracy." (Jurist, March 19)

Reports from Syria say at least five were killed in clashes between protesters and security forces in the city of Deraa on March 18. Video footage posted on various websites shows large crowds said to be in Deraa chanting "God, Syria, Freedom" and other anti-corruption slogans. Reports from the city say authorities responded with waters cannon and live fire. The official SANA news agency said "infiltrators" had mingled with crowds of Friday worshipers, "to create chaos and unrest," setting cars and shops on fire—thereby obliging security forces to intervene "to protect citizens and their properties." Large protests are also reported from the cities of Homs and Baniyas, and security forces reportedly broke up a demonstration after Friday prayers in the main mosque in Damascus. (Haaretz, BBC News, SANA, March 18)

Armed regime loyalists opened fire on protesters in a square they have been occupying at Yemen's Sanaa University March 18, killing at least 32 and leaving some 200 wounded. Parliamentary opposition spokesman Mohammed al-Sabri accused the regime of a "massacre" and said "these killings will not help keep Ali Abdullah Saleh in power." Thousands of people have camped out in the square since Feb. 21, demanding the departure of Saleh, a US ally who has held power since 1978. Police also fired warning shots as thousands marched in the southern port of Aden. Opposition leaders say over 70 have been killed since the anti-regime protests began this year. (Middle East Online, March 18)

Some 200 Syrians defied a state emergency in place since 1963 to gather in Damascus to demand a political opening March 15. "God, Syria, liberty" and "Syrians, where are you?" chanted young men and women, urging their compatriots to join the "peaceful march" which unfolded in a central souk of Old City Damascus. The protesters marched through landmark souks al-Hamidiyeh and Hariqa, drawing dozens of other Syrians with them. But security forces broke up the group and arrested two.

Hundreds of riot police backed up by tanks, bulldozers and helicopters killed at least two and wounded dozens more March 16 as they cleared a protest camp in Bahrain's Pearl Square. The action came a day after an armed intervention force from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates entered the country, and King Hamad declared a three-month state of emergency.