Gunfire erupted overnight in the Syrian city of Homs where thousands of pro-reform protesters had gathered in the main square, a day after activists said at least 25 people were killed there.

An activist on the ground that that security forces had opened fire on protesters. At least two people were reported injured while tear gas has also been used, according to Al Jazeera.

Homs was shut down by the army with three rings of checkpoints surrounding the city, our correspondent said. Security forces had given protesters until 2.30am to clear the square, but gunfire was reported at 2.15am.

Most of the square was cleared with people scattering across the city. But some protesters say they are afraid to go to hospitals.

Demonstrations were also reported in the southern city of Daraa, in the Barzeh district of the capital, Damascus, and in the mainly Kurdish north. About 1,500 people gathered at the Shaghour bridge between Aleppo and Latakia in the morning.