Security forces killed four civilians in demonstrations that erupted last week in the town of Daraa, in the most serious challenge to President Bashar Assad’s rule since the 45-year-old succeeded his father 11 years ago.

“This is peaceful, peaceful. God, Syria, freedom,” chanted the protesters in Jassem, an agricultural town 30 km west of Daraa.

The authorities appeared to adopt less heavy-handed tactics, choosing not to intervene against protests demanding freedom and an end to corruption and repression, but not the overthrow of Assad. The ruling Baath Party has banned opposition and enforced emergency laws since 1963.

In Daraa, hundreds of black-uniformed security forces wielding AK-47 assault rifles lined the streets but did not confront thousands of mourners who marched at the funeral of 23-year-old Raed Al-Kerad, a protester killed in Daraa.

“God, Syria, freedom. The people want the overthrow of corruption,” they chanted.

The slogan is a play on the words “the people want the overthrow of the regime,” the rallying cry of revolutions that overthrew the veteran rulers of Tunisia and Egypt and have spread across the Arab world.

The mourners later gathered at Al-Omari mosque in the old quarter of Daraa. Troops set up checkpoints at the entrances of Daraa and were checking identity cards. Syrian Justice Minister Mohamad Ahmad Younis went to the city hall in an effort to calm emotions and open a dialogue with protesters.

Security forces opened fire last Friday on civilians taking part in a peaceful protest in Daraa to demand the release of 15 schoolchildren detained for writing protest graffiti, political freedoms and an end to corruption.

Authorities released the children on Monday in a sign they were hoping to defuse tension in the border town, which witnessed more protests after Friday’s crackdown.

Local notables have also demanded the release of political prisoners, the dismantling of secret police headquarters in Daraa, the dismissal of the governor, a public trial for those responsible for the killings and the scrapping of regulations requiring secret police permission to sell and buy property.