26 Killed in Latest Syria Crackdown

At least 26 people were killed Friday in the latest crackdown by Syrian police as both sides claimed victory in protesters’ planned “Day of Defiance.” Violence was reported in six towns, with the worst in Homs, Syria’s second-largest city—where tanks rolled into town and at least 10 soldiers and 16 protesters were killed. Human-rights groups said they were encouraged by the thousands that turned out for the demonstrations, while the Syrian government pointed out that crowds were smaller than came out the previous Friday for protests. Meanwhile, worried about the crackdown, the European Union froze the assets and imposed a travel ban on 14 Syrian officials—although President Bashar al-Assad was exempt.