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Syria police 'killed in clashes' in Jisr al-Shughour Syria police 'killed in clashes' in Jisr al-Shughour
(40 minutes later)
Eighty members of the Syrian security forces have been killed in clashes in the north-western town of Jisr al-Shughour, state TV reports.Eighty members of the Syrian security forces have been killed in clashes in the north-western town of Jisr al-Shughour, state TV reports.
Reports said 20 police were killed in an ambush "by armed gangs", while dozens more were killed in clashes with gunmen inside the town.Reports said 20 police were killed in an ambush "by armed gangs", while dozens more were killed in clashes with gunmen inside the town.
There has been no independent confirmation of the claim.There has been no independent confirmation of the claim.
It would be the deadliest such incident claimed by officials since protests against President Assad began in March.It would be the deadliest such incident claimed by officials since protests against President Assad began in March.
The state TV claim came a day after rights activists said at least 35 people, including police, had been killed in Jisr al-Shughour. The state TV claim came a day after rights activists said at least 35 people, including police, had been killed in Jisr al-Shughour, close to the Turkish border.
Foreign media are greatly restricted in Syria and the details of these reports cannot be independently verified.
'Grenades''Grenades'
State TV said hundreds of armed gunmen had taken over parts of Jisr al-Shughour, attacking government buildings and setting them on fire. Foreign media are greatly restricted in Syria and the details of these reports cannot be independently verified.
It said gangs using light weapons, grenades and stolen explosives ambushed police as they approached the town, killing 20 officers.
Syrian state television repeatedly updated urgent flashes with details of what appears to be a dramatic scene unfolding at Jisr al-Shughour.Syrian state television repeatedly updated urgent flashes with details of what appears to be a dramatic scene unfolding at Jisr al-Shughour.
The figures are rising dramatically - State TV is now saying 80 security forces have been killed in what it calls the "massacre" going on.The figures are rising dramatically - State TV is now saying 80 security forces have been killed in what it calls the "massacre" going on.
This is by far the biggest incident of its kind since the uprising began in the middle of March.This is by far the biggest incident of its kind since the uprising began in the middle of March.
If the official account is to be believed, it is - in this stage and in this particular location - an armed insurrection rather than a protest by lots of peaceful citizens.If the official account is to be believed, it is - in this stage and in this particular location - an armed insurrection rather than a protest by lots of peaceful citizens.
The police convoy had been "on their way to rescue citizens being terrorised" by the gangs in Jisr al-Shughour, said the report, adding that residents had been "urging the army to intervene speedily". Syrian Interior Minister Ibrahim Shaar said the government would respond "decisively" to the attacks.
State TV said hundreds of armed gunmen had taken over parts of Jisr al-Shughour, attacking government buildings and setting them on fire.
It said gangs using light weapons, grenades and stolen explosives ambushed police as they approached the town, killing 20 officers.
The police convoy had been "on their way to rescue citizens being terrorised" by the gangs in Jisr al-Shughour, said the report.
Another 37 security officials were killed in an attack on the town's security centre and eight in a bomb attack on a post office. Others died in clashes throughout the town.Another 37 security officials were killed in an attack on the town's security centre and eight in a bomb attack on a post office. Others died in clashes throughout the town.
"The armed groups in Jisr al-Shughour carried out a genuine massacre and mutilated some of the bodies," said the TV report."The armed groups in Jisr al-Shughour carried out a genuine massacre and mutilated some of the bodies," said the TV report.
The Sana news agency quoted an official as saying security forces were surrounding houses from which armed men were firing weapons.The Sana news agency quoted an official as saying security forces were surrounding houses from which armed men were firing weapons.
The official said the gunmen were using residents as human shields.The official said the gunmen were using residents as human shields.
There has been no independent confirmation of the claims by officials. 'Shot in the back'
But the BBC's Jim Muir, in the region, says if official reports are correct, this would be the most serious resistance yet to the government's efforts to control the uprising - and it is the first time officials have admitted to such a large loss of personnel. But the BBC's Jim Muir, in the region, says if official reports are correct, this would be the most serious resistance yet to the government's efforts to control the uprising.
Our correspondent said there was little information online about the clashes but that one protest site said the town had been surrounded and that some members of the security forces had switched sides. It would also be the first time officials have admitted to such a large loss of personnel.
Roads 'cut off' Our correspondent says there has been an unusual lack of information about the clashes on opposition websites and Facebook pages.
The protests began in mid-March in the southern town of Deraa and have spread to other towns and cities. One protest site said the town had been surrounded and there were suggestions some members of the security forces had switched sides.
An eyewitness in Jisr al-Shughour told BBC Arabic the protesters did not have weapons.
He said all the soldiers who died had been "shot in the back by some Syrian security elements".
Human rights activist Mustafa Osso also told the Associated Press he doubted the claims by officials, saying the protesters had so far been peaceful and unarmed.
The Syrian protests began in mid-March in the southern town of Deraa and have spread to other towns and cities.
Activists say more than 1,000 people have been killed in the unrest.Activists say more than 1,000 people have been killed in the unrest.
On Sunday, rights groups said 35 people were killed as troops moved into Jisr al-Shughour. On Monday, residents of the central town of Hama told BBC Arabic they were observing a general strike, and that shops were closed for a third day in mourning over the killing of 70 protesters last Friday.
Rami Abdul-Rahman of the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said six officers were among those killed. Meanwhile, residents of Adlib, in the north-west, said the headquarters of the ruling Baath Party had been burned down following a huge protest there.
State TV said groups had been carrying out attacks on government buildings in the town since Saturday, cutting off roads and intimidating residents. Amnesty International has condemned the "brutal treatment" of protesters in Syria, and has called on the UN to refer the situation to the International Criminal Court.
Bashar al-Assad, whose family has been in power for four decades, has promised to introduce reforms, but this has done little to placate his opponents.Bashar al-Assad, whose family has been in power for four decades, has promised to introduce reforms, but this has done little to placate his opponents.
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