DAMASCUS, April 25 (Xinhua) -- The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) killed three people while shooting at a protest in eastern Syria on Thursday, state news agency SANA reported.

The SDF opened fire at a mass protest that erupted against the group's practices in the northern countryside of the eastern province of Deir al-Zour, SANA said.

According to the report, the SDF fired at the protesters in the town of Daman as people were urging the group to withdraw from their towns and areas.

The protests have extended to other areas in northern Deir al-Zour as people have become fed up with the chaos, kidnappings, and killings.

The protesters cut off the main roads in the area and some towns have witnessed civil disobedience.

The SDF controls areas in the countryside of Deir al-Zour, the northeastern province of Hasakah and the countryside of Aleppo.

The group has been backed by the U.S.-led coalition and was able to make gains in the fights against the Islamic State.

For the Syrian government, the SDF and other Kurdish militia should embark on a dialogue. Otherwise, their areas will be retaken by the army.