On Sunday night 10 April 2011, Banias was cordoned off by the military and as tanks fanned out, access to medical services was blocked and communications interrupted.

Banias has been targeted because of the massive peaceful protests which have taken place there over the last few weeks. It is unknown how this situation will evolve, but we fear a repeat of the Hama massacre of 1982, in which 10,000 to 30,000 people are believed to have been killed by Hafez Al-Assad's regime.

Alkarama has confirmed 49 more deaths as a result lethal force used by the Syrian authorities against protesters, bringing the total to 134 confirmed summary executions. Alkarama submitted various murder cases committed by the Syrian authorities to the UN Special Rapporteur on Extra-Judicial, Summary and Arbitrary Executions between 20 March and 5 April 2011.

A wave of peaceful popular protests began in Syria on 15 March 2011. Demonstrators continue to call for the abolition of emergency law and are protesting against widespread corruption. In response to demonstrations, Syrian security and military forces, have used live ammunition to quell the protests.