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Syria: Restive towns 'surrounded' by tanks | Syria: Restive towns 'surrounded' by tanks |
(about 6 hours later) | |
Syrian troops have attacked two towns north of the capital Damascus, as they continue a crackdown against anti-government protests, reports say. | Syrian troops have attacked two towns north of the capital Damascus, as they continue a crackdown against anti-government protests, reports say. |
Witnesses said the troops, backed by tanks and helicopters, surrounded Rastan and Talbisa early on Sunday and searched houses for protesters. | |
Anti-government activists said five people were killed and many wounded. | |
Human rights groups say more than 1,000 people have been killed in Syria since the uprising began in March. | Human rights groups say more than 1,000 people have been killed in Syria since the uprising began in March. |
Syria has banned foreign journalists, making it difficult to verify eyewitness accounts. Syrian authorities insist they are pursuing "armed terrorist gangs". | Syria has banned foreign journalists, making it difficult to verify eyewitness accounts. Syrian authorities insist they are pursuing "armed terrorist gangs". |
The two towns attacked on Sunday are on the main road north out of Homs, the site of some of the largest demonstrations in recent weeks. | |
Tanks encircled Rastan and troops began firing heavy machine-guns in the streets of the town, an eyewitness told Reuters news agency. | Tanks encircled Rastan and troops began firing heavy machine-guns in the streets of the town, an eyewitness told Reuters news agency. |
Scores of tanks were used, with helicopters flying overhead - as security forces broke into houses arresting people. | |
Residents of both towns said water, electricity and communications were cut early on Sunday as the troops and tanks moved in. | |
The authorities have said nothing about the reported attacks, says the BBC's Jim Muir in neighbouring Lebanon. | |
Both Rastan and Talbisa have been caught up in the protests since March, and dissent has continued there despite harsh repression, says our correspondent. | |
The towns were the scene of large protests demanding the resignation of President Bashar al-Assad. | |
Opposition sources report ongoing demonstrations and vigils, often at night, in many parts of the country. | Opposition sources report ongoing demonstrations and vigils, often at night, in many parts of the country. |
They also say security forces have continued to hunt down and detain activists in towns and cities throughout Syria. | They also say security forces have continued to hunt down and detain activists in towns and cities throughout Syria. |
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