Syrians took to the streets after prayers on Friday (April 1st) in Daraa, Homs, Latakia and smaller cities around the country in the first protests following President Bashar al-Assad's speech earlier in the week, wire services reported.

Security forces in the Damascus suburb of Douma fired on the protesters. One man was shot in the head with a rubber bullet and dozens were injured.

Protests also took place in the previously quiet northeast of Syria, with hundreds of people marching through the streets of Qamishli and Amuda chanting slogans of freedom.

The official news agency SANA reported that demonstrations took place in Daraa and Latakia calling for more reforms. No casualties were reported.