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Syrian army 'moves on Jisr al-Shughour' Syrian army 'moves on Jisr al-Shughour'
(40 minutes later)
The Syrian army has begun operations to "restore security" to the town of Jisr al-Shughour and the surrounding area, state TV says.The Syrian army has begun operations to "restore security" to the town of Jisr al-Shughour and the surrounding area, state TV says.
Earlier in the week, the Syrian government said 120 security personnel were killed in the north-western town.Earlier in the week, the Syrian government said 120 security personnel were killed in the north-western town.
The announcement, and the positioning of troops in the area, has prompted a flow of refugees to nearby Turkey.The announcement, and the positioning of troops in the area, has prompted a flow of refugees to nearby Turkey.
The government has blamed the deaths on armed groups, but there are reports of a mutiny among security forces.The government has blamed the deaths on armed groups, but there are reports of a mutiny among security forces.
Syrian state TV said armed men were in control of the town and had prepared defences.Syrian state TV said armed men were in control of the town and had prepared defences.
The Turkish government says more than 2,000 Syrians have crossed the border seeking refuge from the anticipated crackdown in Jisr al-Shughour.The Turkish government says more than 2,000 Syrians have crossed the border seeking refuge from the anticipated crackdown in Jisr al-Shughour.
Foreign correspondents are largely restricted in their reporting from Syria. Conflicting accounts
Uprisings against the rule of President Bashar al-Assad began in mid-March and have swept across much of the country since then. Syria has prevented foreign journalists, including those from the BBC, from entering the country, making it difficult to verify reports from there.
The BBC's Jim Muir, in Beirut, Lebanon, says the events in Jisr al-Shughour present a massive challenge to President Assad.
Syrian state TV has been preparing the way for the security operation in the town and in anticipation
The reported action against Jisr al-Shughour is in response to claims by Damascus that armed gangs killed 120 members of the security forces there after protests against President Assad's rule.
The government says local residents requested the army's intervention to restore peace and quiet.
But dissenting accounts say the violence was sparked by deserting soldiers, and that loyal troops have massacred peaceful civilians.
Human rights groups say more than 1,100 people have been killed since protests began in March against President Assad, and it now appears several hundred security forces may also have died.
The unrest in Syria has prompted a split within the UN Security Council, where France and Britain have proposed a resolution to condemn the government's actions.
But other nations on the council, including Brazil, China and Russia, say such a resolution - which does not propose concrete action - could further inflame tensions in an already volatile region.