In Syria, anti-government protests continued in several cities today, despite the government's deployment of security forces across the country. Witnesses said dozens of chanting demonstrators rallied through the central Damascus neighborhood of Midan, where they called for the downfall of President Bashar al-Assad's government. Agency reports quotes witnesses who said security forces have opened fire on protesters in Tel, a town north of Damascus. Reports also say protests involving thousands of demonstrators were underway in several other cities. Opposition leaders had urged demonstrators to take to the streets after Friday prayers for what they have called ‘Day of Defiance’ protests. However, security forces have taken up positions in cities across Syria, as part of the government's ongoing crackdown on the demonstrations. Yesterday, residents said troops and armored vehicles had deployed into cities including Homs, Banias and Rastan. However, the army said it has begun withdrawing its forces from the besieged town of Daraa, the epicenter of protests against President Bashar al-Assad. The military said it had carried out its mission in detaining terrorists in Daraa and had restored calm in the city. Rights groups say at least 600 people have been killed in Syria's crackdown on nationwide anti-government unrest and as many as 8,000 are missing or have been detained.