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Syria police 'killed in clashes' in Jisr al-Shughour Syria troops 'killed in clashes' in Jisr al-Shughour
(about 2 hours 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. Syrian state TV is reporting the deaths of at least 120 security personnel in battles with hundreds of gunmen in the north-western town of Jisr al-Shughour.
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. More than 80 of the deaths were said to have happened when the security headquarters in the town was overrun.
Communications are largely cut off and there has been little information from the protesters' side about the unrest.
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. The reports came a day after human rights activists said at least 35 residents and police had been killed in Jisr al-Shughour.
Foreign media are greatly restricted in Syria and these reports have not been independently verified. The government launched a crackdown on Saturday, following demonstrations against President Bashar al-Assad after Friday prayers.
'A genuine massacre' 'Terrorised citizens'
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. On Friday evening, Information Minister Adnan Mahmoud admitted the security forces had "intermittently" lost control of areas around Jisr al-Shughour, which lies about 20km (12 miles) from the Turkish border.
Earlier, in a dramatic series of urgent flashes, state TV said hundreds of gunmen who took over the town had committed "a real massacre".
Jisr al-Shughour has been the scene of a continuing military crackdown since Saturday, following protest demonstrations denouncing the regime after Friday prayers.Jisr al-Shughour has been the scene of a continuing military crackdown since Saturday, following protest demonstrations denouncing the regime after Friday prayers.
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.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.
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.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.
Syrian Interior Minister Ibrahim Shaar said the government would respond "strongly and decisively" to Monday's reported attacks. A report said the fighting had begun at dawn, when an armed gang ambushed police as they approached the town "to rescue citizens being terrorised". Twenty officers reportedly died.
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 also said another 82 personnel were killed when the town's security headquarters was overwhelmed, and eight in a bomb attack on a post office they were guarding.
It said gangs using light weapons, grenades and stolen explosives ambushed police as they approached the town early on Monday, killing 20 officers. Many government buildings were attacked and burned, causing further casualties, it added. The overall death toll for security forces was put at 120.
The police convoy had been "on their way to rescue citizens being terrorised" by the gangs in Jisr al-Shughour, said the report. State TV said the gunmen were armed with medium-calibre weapons and grenades, and that they had stolen five tons of explosives from a nearby dam.
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 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 mutilated or thrown in the Orontes river.
'Shot in the back' "We will deal strongly and decisively, and according to the law, and we will not be silent about any armed attack that targets the security of the state and its citizens," said Interior Minister Ibrahim Shaar.
A witness told BBC Arabic that the protesters did not have weapons. A rebellion in Jisr al-Shughour in 1980 against President Hafez al-Assad, Bashar al-Assad's father, was brutally crushed with scores of deaths.
"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." 'Mutiny'
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. Foreign media are greatly restricted in Syria and the reports have not been independently verified.
But opposition websites insisted that their protests had been peaceful, and they scorned the government's talk of armed gangs.
A Jisr al-Shughour resident told BBC Arabic that the protesters did not have any weapons and blamed the authorities for Monday's deaths.
"The soldiers were coming our way, then they were shot in the back by some Syrian security elements," Abu Nadir said.
Another told the Reuters news agency that people had set fire to the post office after snipers shot at those attending a mass funeral on Saturday.
Others said that members of the armed forces had changed sides and joined the protests. Some also said the town had been relatively calm until a mutiny at the security headquarters, where so many deaths were reported.
"I think they executed policemen who refused to open fire on demonstrators. There was a mutiny in the security service," one told the AFP news agency.
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.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.
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.
The unrest began in the southern city of Deraa before spreading.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.
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 reforms, but this has done little to placate his opponents.
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