Syria kills dozens, US warns of more action (VIDEO)

After Syrian forces killed 27 demonstrators in another bloody day of protests, the United States threatened to take more action against the country if the violence does not stop.

"The United States believes that Syria's deplorable actions toward its people warrant a strong international response," the White House said in one of its strongest statements yet, AFP reports.

It stated that if the government does not stop its crackdown on peaceful protesters, "the United States and its international partners will take additional steps to make clear our strong opposition to the Syrian government's treatment of its people."

The United States imposed sanctions last week against some members of Syria's government.

Thousands of protesters demonstrated in cities across the country after Friday prayers. Fridays have become a day of large-scale protests across the Middle East as country after country has faced mass uprisings. In Syria, demonstrators have been demanding an end to President Bashar al-Assad's autocratic rule.

The international community has also mounted criticism against Assad who has resorted to violence and massive amounts of force to suppress his people, Reuters reports.

European Union governments agreed Friday to impose asset freezes and travel restrictions on more than a dozen Syrian officials, it states.

The White House has blamed Damascus for following the lead of Iran and using brutal force to crack down on its people as protests have built over the past five weeks.

More than 500 people are thought to have been killed in Syria since mid-March.