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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)
Some 120 members of the Syrian security forces have been killed in clashes in the north-western town of Jisr al-Shughour, state media report.Some 120 members of the Syrian security forces have been killed in clashes in the north-western town of Jisr al-Shughour, state media report.
Initial reports said 20 police were killed in an ambush by "armed gangs". But officials later said dozens more had died in other incidents, including 82 in an attack on their headquarters.Initial reports said 20 police were killed in an ambush by "armed gangs". But officials later said dozens more had died in other incidents, including 82 in an attack on their headquarters.
If confirmed, it would be the deadliest day for the security forces since anti-government protests began in mid-March.If confirmed, it would be the deadliest day for the security forces since anti-government protests began in mid-March.
A witness has cast doubt on the claims.A witness has cast doubt on the claims.
Foreign media are greatly restricted in Syria and the details of these reports cannot be independently verified. Foreign media are greatly restricted in Syria and these reports have not been independently verified.
'Grenades' 'A genuine massacre'
The state media reports came a day after human rights activists said at least 35 people, including police, had been killed in Jisr al-Shughour, close to the Turkish border.The state media reports came a day after human rights activists said at least 35 people, including police, had been killed in Jisr al-Shughour, close to the Turkish border.
Syrian state television repeatedly updated urgent flashes with details of what appears to be a dramatic scene unfolding at Jisr al-Shughour. Jisr al-Shughour has been the scene of a continuing military crackdown since Saturday, following protest demonstrations denouncing the regime after Friday prayers.
The figures are rising dramatically - State TV is now saying 80 security forces have been killed in what it calls the "massacre" going on. If the government's account is true, it is by far the biggest number of security forces killed in any single incident since the uprising began in March. It implies that at least in Jisr al-Shughour, they are facing an armed insurrection rather than mass peaceful protests.
This is by far the biggest incident of its kind since the uprising began in the middle of March. But some activist internet sites have suggested that some army elements may have defected to the revolt, another possible explanation for the sudden startling leap in the number of security forces killed. Whatever the case, it is a massive challenge to the government, and it has vowed to meet it, with determination and force.
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. Syrian Interior Minister Ibrahim Shaar said the government would respond "strongly and decisively" to Monday's reported attacks.
Syrian Interior Minister Ibrahim Shaar said the government would respond "strongly and decisively" to Monday's attacks.
State TV said hundreds of armed gunmen had taken over parts of Jisr al-Shughour, about 20km (12 miles) from the Turkish border, attacking government buildings and setting them on fire.State TV said hundreds of armed gunmen had taken over parts of Jisr al-Shughour, about 20km (12 miles) from the Turkish border, 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 early on Monday, killing 20 officers.It said gangs using light weapons, grenades and stolen explosives ambushed police as they approached the town early on Monday, 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.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, while the bloodiest incident occurred when gunmen took over the security services' headquarters, it added.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, while the bloodiest incident occurred when gunmen took over the security services' headquarters, it added.
"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 official Sana news agency quoted a correspondent as saying reinforcements had been sent to Jisr al-Shughour and that security forces personnel were surrounding houses from which armed men were firing weapons.The official Sana news agency quoted a correspondent as saying reinforcements had been sent to Jisr al-Shughour and that security forces personnel were surrounding houses from which armed men were firing weapons.
He added that the gunmen were using civilians as human shields, and that some of their victims' bodies had been thrown in the Orontes river.He added that the gunmen were using civilians as human shields, and that some of their victims' bodies had been thrown in the Orontes river.
'Shot in the back''Shot in the back'
A witness told BBC Arabic that the protesters did not have weapons.A witness told BBC Arabic that the protesters did not have weapons.
"We don't have any kind of weapons," he said. "The soldiers were coming our way, then they were shot in the back by some Syrian security elements.""We don't have any kind of weapons," he said. "The soldiers were coming our way, then they were 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.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 BBC's Jim Muir in Beirut says if official reports are correct, this would be the most serious resistance yet to the government's efforts to control the uprising. The BBC's Jim Muir in Beirut says if official reports are correct, it would be the first time officials have admitted to such a large loss of personnel.
It would also be the first time officials have admitted to such a large loss of personnel.
Our correspondent says there has been an unusual lack of information about the clashes on opposition websites and Facebook pages.Our correspondent says there has been an unusual lack of information about the clashes on opposition websites and Facebook pages.
One protest site said Jisr al-Shughour had been surrounded and there were suggestions some members of the security forces had switched sides.One protest site said Jisr al-Shughour had been surrounded and there were suggestions some members of the security forces had switched sides.
The protests began in mid-March in the southern city of Deraa and have spread to other towns and cities. The unrest began in the southern city of Deraa before spreading.
Activists say more than 1,100 people have been killed in the unrest.Activists say more than 1,100 people have been killed in the unrest.
On Monday, residents of the central city of Hama told BBC Arabic they were observing a general strike, and that shops had closed for a third day in mourning over the killing of at least 70 protesters on Friday.
Meanwhile, residents of Idlib, to the east of Jisr al-Shugour, said the headquarters of the ruling Baath Party had been burned down following a huge protest there.
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.
Mr Assad, whose family has been in power for four decades, has promised to introduce reforms, but this has done little to placate his opponents.Mr 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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