As Muslims around the world celebrate the Eid marking the end of the month of Ramadan, Syrians coming out of mosques to protest in at least two cities were fired upon by Assad's troops. The final days of the holiday saw a surge in protests and alleged killings by Assad's forces, with 23 people slain from Monday afternoon to Tuesday afternoon, according to the Local Coordinating Committees opposition coalition. Many of those killed Tuesday were shot as they rallied against Assad's government after morning prayers marking Eid al-Fitr, which in normal times is a period of celebration after the Ramadan month of fasting. In Syria, Ramadan began with a major tank assault on the opposition stronghold of Hama that activists said killed 200 people. Leaders of Syria's nonviolent movements tried but failed to make a push into the center of Damascus, the capital, in the last days of the holiday, but succeeded in mounting daily small protests countrywide through the month, despite lethal force...(Read Full Post)