Security forces loyal to embattled Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad raided the dormitory complex of Aleppo University, killing at least 3 students, and wounding many more.

Earlier in the day students of the university organized a large protest on the campus’ main square. The protest drew many students and was the largest protest at Aleppo University to date.

Security forces arrived quickly on the scene and assaulted the protesting students forcing them to disperse and fold back.

The main assault overnight. The students started another protest in the university’s housing complex. They launched the protest from their rooms. Witnesses report that three buses carrying security forces and Shabbiha surrounded and laid siege to the housing complex. The attack started shortly after midnight Thursday and lasted about an hour.

Security forces stormed the complex with five military vehicles while firing from mounted machine guns. The initial assault caused widespread damage and killed two students. Security forces and Shabbiha followed on foot. They searched room by room, breaking in, and firing bursts of gunfire to intimidate the students. More than 50 students were seen being taken away.

The raid ended with the security forces evicting many of the students and sealing off their dorms. The students sent out messages through social media asking residents of Aleppo to come to their aid.