Anti-government protests shake Syrian provinces amid anger over economy

Demonstrations against the Assad regime have taken hold in two southern provinces after the government ended fuel subsidies Rare protests against Syrian president Bashar al-Assad's government continued on Friday, with demonstrations reported in a string of towns in Daraa and Sweida provinces. The protests began late last week after the government ended fuel subsidies, dealing a heavy blow to Syrians reeling from years of war and economic crisis.