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| Syria unrest: Troops and army deserters clash in Idlib | Syria unrest: Troops and army deserters clash in Idlib |
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| There have been renewed clashes between security forces and army deserters in north-western Syria, activists say. | There have been renewed clashes between security forces and army deserters in north-western Syria, activists say. |
| The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 100 deserters were killed or wounded as troops besieged two villages in the province of Idlib. | The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 100 deserters were killed or wounded as troops besieged two villages in the province of Idlib. |
| Dozens of civilians are trapped in the villages in the Jabal al-Zawiya area. | Dozens of civilians are trapped in the villages in the Jabal al-Zawiya area. |
| On Monday, activists said more than 70 soldiers were shot dead after deserting their positions in Idlib. The claims have not been independently verified. | On Monday, activists said more than 70 soldiers were shot dead after deserting their positions in Idlib. The claims have not been independently verified. |
| At least forty civilians were reportedly killed nationwide on Monday, including Homs to the north of Damascus, and Deraa in the south. | |
| The UN says more than 5,000 people have been killed across Syria since protests against President Bashar al-Assad erupted in March. | The UN says more than 5,000 people have been killed across Syria since protests against President Bashar al-Assad erupted in March. |
| Damascus says it is fighting "armed terrorist gangs", who want to destabilise the country. | Damascus says it is fighting "armed terrorist gangs", who want to destabilise the country. |
| 'Civilians surrounded' | 'Civilians surrounded' |
| The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Tuesday that the latest clashes in Idlib were taking place around the Jabal al-Zawiya villages of Kafruwed and al-Fatira - not far from the Turkish border. | The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Tuesday that the latest clashes in Idlib were taking place around the Jabal al-Zawiya villages of Kafruwed and al-Fatira - not far from the Turkish border. |
| The group cited army deserters as saying that 100 of their colleagues were "killed or wounded between the villages", the AFP news agency reported. | The group cited army deserters as saying that 100 of their colleagues were "killed or wounded between the villages", the AFP news agency reported. |
| "Dozens of civilians, including many activists, are also surrounded by the Syrian army," a statement added. | "Dozens of civilians, including many activists, are also surrounded by the Syrian army," a statement added. |
| The Local Co-ordination Committees, an activist group that documents and organises anti-government protests, said 11 civilians had been killed on Tuesday, including five in Homs and three in Idlib. | |
| Syrian opposition sources said the army was intensifying its campaign in Idlib ahead of the expected deployment of observers who will monitor the Syrian government's implementation of an Arab League peace initiative. | |
| League officials have said that the first monitors could be in the country as early as Thursday. | League officials have said that the first monitors could be in the country as early as Thursday. |
| This follows the announcement that Damascus had agreed to the observer mission on Monday. | This follows the announcement that Damascus had agreed to the observer mission on Monday. |
| Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem said the country's sovereignty would be protected because the Arab League had agreed to amendments to the deal, which also calls for all violence to be halted, for the withdrawal of troops from the streets, and the release of detainees. | Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem said the country's sovereignty would be protected because the Arab League had agreed to amendments to the deal, which also calls for all violence to be halted, for the withdrawal of troops from the streets, and the release of detainees. |
| The observers would be "free" in their movements and "under the protection of the Syrian government", Mr Muallem added, but would not be allowed to visit sensitive military sites. | The observers would be "free" in their movements and "under the protection of the Syrian government", Mr Muallem added, but would not be allowed to visit sensitive military sites. |
| The observers will have a one-month mandate that can be extended by another month if both sides agree. | The observers will have a one-month mandate that can be extended by another month if both sides agree. |
| The leader of the Syrian National Council, an opposition umbrella group, has dismissed the government's decision as "just a ploy". | The leader of the Syrian National Council, an opposition umbrella group, has dismissed the government's decision as "just a ploy". |
| Activists say that if the government does withdraw the army, many areas will immediately fall out of its control. |