Tanks, Troops fire on Syrian Protesters

The ancient city of Deraa has become the focal point of protests and Syria's brutal military crackdown.

The Syrian army has sent tanks and troops into the city that started the Middle Eastern country's protests five weeks ago, killing at least five civilians in Deraa on Monday. Pro-democracy activists in Deraa have claimed the city's independence from Syria, which is believed to have convinced the country's political and military leadership to send in heavy weapons to quell the uprising. More than 300 people have been killed in Syria since protests began in an attempt to get President Bashar al-Assad to step down. Assad lifted Syria's emergency law last week after 48 years, but the violent crackdown on protesters has continued apace.