Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

A protestor carries a banner at an anti-regime rally near the Syrian embassay in Cairo, Egypt. Mohammed Abu Zaid/AP/Press Association Images

Syrian security forces open fire on funeral, killing two

According to activists, President Bashar Assad’s troops shot dead two people at the funeral of Kurdish leader Mashaal Tammo today.

SECURITY FORCES OPENED  fire at tens of thousands of mourners who turned out for the funeral of a slain Kurdish opposition leader in northeastern Syria today.

At least two people have been killed, activists said.

People marched through the streets of Qamishli in the funeral procession for Mashaal Tammo, one of Syria’s most prominent opposition figures, who was gunned down yesterday by masked gunmen in the city. The slaying was the latest in a string of targeted killings in Syria as the country slides further into disorder, seven months into the uprising against President Bashar Assad.

“All of Qamishli is out today, the funeral is turning into a massive protest,” Kurdish activist and lawyer Mustafa Osso told The Associated Press, as the grieving cries of fellow mourners were heard through the phone.

The mourners swelling through Qamishli’s streets called on Assad to step down, with chants of “Leave, Leave.” Osso said more than 50,000 people were on Qamishli’s streets to take part in the funeral.

Mourning Tammo

Security forces opened fire during the funeral procession, killing two mourners and wounding several others, he said.

The Local Coordination Committees activist network said the city has been completely shut down after a general strike was declared to mourn Tammo.

It said clashes took place between security forces and protesters who tried to tear down a statue of Hafez Assad, the authoritarian leader and late father of Syria’s current president.

Tammo, a 53-year-old former political prisoner and a spokesman for the Kurdish Future Party, was also a member of the executive committee of the newly formed Syrian National Council, a broad-based front bringing together opposition figures inside and outside the country in an attempt to unify the deeply fragmented dissident movement.

A vocal regime opponent, Tammo had been instrumental in organising anti-government protests in Qamishli in recent months.

Some in the opposition said the regime was responsible for his assassination.

But the killing could spark violent protests in the Kurdish region at a time when Syria’s security forces already have their hands full in trying to stamp out dissent across much of the rest of the country. Kurds – the largest ethnic minority in Syria – make up 15 per cent of the country’s 23 million people and have long complained of neglect and discrimination.

Assad granted citizenship in April to stateless Kurds in eastern Syria in an attempt to address some of the protesters’ grievances.

Tammo’s assassination was similar to other recent targeted killings in Syria by unknown gunmen, raising concerns the country might be sliding toward civil war. The most recent was the assassination of the son of Syria’s top Sunni cleric, who died in a hail of bullets outside the university where he studied earlier this week.

Several academics and physicists have also been shot dead by gunmen in the past month, most of them in the country’s restive central and northern regions.

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John S
    Favourite John S
    Report
    Mar 13th 2016, 3:57 PM

    Patty = Homer Simpson’s sister in law. Paddy = patron saint of Ireland.

    372
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute GameOverMan
    Favourite GameOverMan
    Report
    Mar 13th 2016, 11:08 PM

    Its a good idea, i just think it should’ve been ya know funny. Don’t get me wrong, great pictures great idea but comedy wise its a weak piece.

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute danny corrigan
    Favourite danny corrigan
    Report
    Mar 13th 2016, 4:02 PM

    Actually it’s Patrick, not Paddy

    283
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Collins
    Favourite John Collins
    Report
    Mar 13th 2016, 4:13 PM

    Actually it’s Padraig.

    183
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chief
    Favourite Chief
    Report
    Mar 13th 2016, 4:14 PM

    Actually it’s Patricius if we go right back

    230
    See 8 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute AARO-SAURUS
    Favourite AARO-SAURUS
    Report
    Mar 13th 2016, 4:28 PM

    Actually, it’s Pato.

    55
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute George Hogan
    Favourite George Hogan
    Report
    Mar 13th 2016, 4:44 PM

    Happy Patty’s Day one and all!

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tom the Bomb
    Favourite Tom the Bomb
    Report
    Mar 13th 2016, 4:46 PM

    It was actually Cothraige if you want to be really pedantic.

    61
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chief
    Favourite Chief
    Report
    Mar 13th 2016, 4:52 PM

    Care to explain Tom the bomb?

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shawn Rahoon
    Favourite Shawn Rahoon
    Report
    Mar 13th 2016, 4:57 PM

    Actually it’s KISS MY ARSE and not as the Americans say ” kiss my ass”. So remember that loyke.

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jimmy jones
    Favourite Jimmy jones
    Report
    Mar 13th 2016, 5:24 PM

    Actually Tom the Bomb is correct . The guys name was Cothraige .
    If you want to be correct it is Cothraige’s day .

    27
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chief
    Favourite Chief
    Report
    Mar 13th 2016, 6:30 PM

    The “guys” name was Corthraige after he was the slave of four people is what I’m coming up with when I do a search Jimmy. Can you get me a link to what you seen as I’ve a good interest in this malarkey

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Sands
    Favourite Michael Sands
    Report
    Mar 14th 2016, 2:41 AM

    Patrick means Noble but is it Welsh or French lol.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mark Byrne
    Favourite Mark Byrne
    Report
    Mar 13th 2016, 5:00 PM

    I called my son Patrick because he was born on Saint Patrick’s day, did I ever tell you about my son pancake…..

    170
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eugene Walsh
    Favourite Eugene Walsh
    Report
    Mar 13th 2016, 9:53 PM

    Wha did st paddy say when he was driving the snakes out of Ireland?

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eugene Walsh
    Favourite Eugene Walsh
    Report
    Mar 13th 2016, 9:54 PM

    Yiz alri in the back ? I have my coat, gone !!

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Larry Doyle
    Favourite Larry Doyle
    Report
    Mar 13th 2016, 4:30 PM

    Looking forward to celebrating Depenance Day in July.

    150
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lad
    Favourite Lad
    Report
    Mar 13th 2016, 7:08 PM

    Am I the only person who is as annoyed as it being called paddy’s day than pattys day?! It’s St Patrick’s day if your going to go serious about it..

    107
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Lawlor
    Favourite Alan Lawlor
    Report
    Mar 13th 2016, 8:00 PM

    As he is not an officially recognised saint, then Patrick’s Day would be more apt

    11
    See 4 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Uncle Denise
    Favourite Uncle Denise
    Report
    Mar 13th 2016, 8:01 PM

    I thought paddy was a term used by the brits for the Irish. Correct me if I’m wrong.

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Lawlor
    Favourite Alan Lawlor
    Report
    Mar 13th 2016, 8:04 PM

    It is a term used by the English – but the more derogatory term would be “Micks”.

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Smiley
    Favourite Smiley
    Report
    Mar 13th 2016, 10:13 PM

    Or, Mickey Doolin.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Sands
    Favourite Michael Sands
    Report
    Mar 14th 2016, 3:04 AM

    Presidance Day was fun… lol.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Green Monkey
    Favourite The Green Monkey
    Report
    Mar 13th 2016, 4:15 PM

    Same shít story surfaces every year.

    The Yanks call it Patty,
    The Brits called us Paddys

    His name is St. Patrick……….

    138
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean Costello
    Favourite Sean Costello
    Report
    Mar 13th 2016, 4:21 PM

    We make a big deal of not calling it pattys while at the same time calling it paddy’s, which was a derogatory term the english used for us. It’s neither paddy not patty.

    69
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Caroline McQ
    Favourite Caroline McQ
    Report
    Mar 13th 2016, 4:31 PM

    Paddy is not a derogatory word if it is your name. Paddy is a common short version of Patrick or Padraig.

    102
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fear Uisce
    Favourite Fear Uisce
    Report
    Mar 13th 2016, 5:10 PM

    Just like African Americans using the N word, we’re taking ownership of paddy and feck the tans

    57
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shawn Rahoon
    Favourite Shawn Rahoon
    Report
    Mar 13th 2016, 5:13 PM

    If your auntie Patty had balls she would be your uncle Paddy

    67
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute pZTahAXy
    Favourite pZTahAXy
    Report
    Mar 13th 2016, 8:31 PM

    What about her moustache?

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Sands
    Favourite Michael Sands
    Report
    Mar 14th 2016, 3:05 AM

    Or making oyster soup lol.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute UM
    Favourite UM
    Report
    Mar 13th 2016, 4:05 PM

    Can we just get over it. Who gives a crap what the Americans call the day

    39
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Hartigan
    Favourite Tony Hartigan
    Report
    Mar 13th 2016, 4:36 PM

    Saint Patrick day that’s it.

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Del Haven
    Favourite Del Haven
    Report
    Mar 13th 2016, 4:44 PM

    Nope

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Notthatguy
    Favourite Notthatguy
    Report
    Mar 13th 2016, 9:53 PM

    Its get hammered day to be fair…

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Carthy
    Favourite Alan Carthy
    Report
    Mar 13th 2016, 4:57 PM

    Who is st paddy It Saint PATRICK always has n always will me #respectfortheman

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Avril McLoughlin
    Favourite Avril McLoughlin
    Report
    Mar 13th 2016, 7:21 PM

    It’s St Patrick’s Day or La Fheile Padraig…..☘

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Noel Falkhall
    Favourite Noel Falkhall
    Report
    Mar 13th 2016, 4:37 PM

    …..the 5th of July

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jamie McCormack
    Favourite Jamie McCormack
    Report
    Mar 13th 2016, 5:02 PM

    Patrick was a gentleman, he came from decent people

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jamie McCormack
    Favourite Jamie McCormack
    Report
    Mar 13th 2016, 8:53 PM

    He built a church in Dublin town, and on it put a steeple

    His Father was a Gallagher, his Mother was a Brady

    His Aunt was an O’Shaughnessy, and his Uncle was a Grady

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Luke Victory
    Favourite Luke Victory
    Report
    Mar 13th 2016, 6:29 PM

    Am intrigued to find out what a $5 red bull yellow irish bomb is…

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Sands
    Favourite Michael Sands
    Report
    Mar 14th 2016, 2:44 AM

    Anything yellow might be scary…

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Padraig
    Favourite Padraig
    Report
    Mar 13th 2016, 4:13 PM

    Dara O’Briain’s tweet also needs to be rolled out again.
    https://twitter.com/daraobriain/status/577773188370866176

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aodh Ó Fógartaigh
    Favourite Aodh Ó Fógartaigh
    Report
    Mar 13th 2016, 10:18 PM

    It won’t help that much, seeing as Americans usually ‘celebrate’ Paddy’s Day on the previous Saturday…

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Hartigan
    Favourite Tony Hartigan
    Report
    Mar 13th 2016, 4:35 PM

    Such ignorance

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Martin Greene
    Favourite Martin Greene
    Report
    Mar 13th 2016, 10:52 PM

    Dumb yanks

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Noel Falkhall
    Favourite Noel Falkhall
    Report
    Mar 13th 2016, 4:19 PM

    Can’t wait to celebrate the

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute AARO-SAURUS
    Favourite AARO-SAURUS
    Report
    Mar 13th 2016, 5:17 PM

    Ok. The anticipation is killing me. SPIT IT OUT!

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Castalla Villas
    Favourite Castalla Villas
    Report
    Mar 14th 2016, 8:51 AM

    Absolute idiots who cares what they call it. They’ll eventually get around to calling thanksgiving something else.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pat Gorman
    Favourite Pat Gorman
    Report
    Mar 13th 2016, 8:52 PM

    The proper Irish name is ” lá le pádraig”.
    Only English speaking idiots beyond the Pale up there in Dublin call it “St. Patrick’s Day”.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Amy Gaffney
    Favourite Amy Gaffney
    Report
    Mar 13th 2016, 10:22 PM

    The stupid is strong with this one

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aodh Ó Fógartaigh
    Favourite Aodh Ó Fógartaigh
    Report
    Mar 13th 2016, 10:27 PM

    Lá ‘le Phádraig’, to be precise (‘Lá ‘le’ =’Lá Fhéile’…)

    [From an English speaking 'idiot' up here in Dublin... which is, I think you'll find, within the Pale rather than beyond it. You're welcome.]

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kirk Van Houten
    Favourite Kirk Van Houten
    Report
    Mar 13th 2016, 4:57 PM

    St. Pirlo

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Journaliest
    Favourite Journaliest
    Report
    Mar 13th 2016, 7:09 PM

    It’s St. P****y day.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Owen McDermott
    Favourite Owen McDermott
    Report
    Mar 14th 2016, 5:45 AM

    Happy St Patty’s Day!

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds