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Syrians flee 'massacres' in Baniyas and al-Bayda Syrians flee 'massacres' in Baniyas and al-Bayda
(35 minutes later)
Hundreds of Syrians have fled coastal areas where activists accuse government forces of carrying out massacres in a campaign of sectarian cleansing.Hundreds of Syrians have fled coastal areas where activists accuse government forces of carrying out massacres in a campaign of sectarian cleansing.
Gruesome videos show mutilated and burnt bodies of women and children, allegedly from the town of Baniyas. Footage of mutilated and burnt bodies, allegedly from the town of Baniyas, have been posted online.
On Thursday activists said at least 50 died in the nearby village of al-Bayda. Activists said 77 people had died in Baniyas, a day after 72 were killed at the nearby village of al-Bayda.
Meanwhile, Israeli officials say warplanes have carried out an air strike on Syria targeting weapons heading to Lebanon's Hezbollah. The government said it had fought back "terrorist groups" and restored peace and security to the area.
Meanwhile, Israel has said its warplanes carried out an air strike on Syria targeting weapons heading to Lebanon's Hezbollah.
It is the second time this year that the Israelis have carried out such strikes.It is the second time this year that the Israelis have carried out such strikes.
Militia involvement 'Militia involved'
Activists have reported two massacres in two days in the coastal area of central Syria.Activists have reported two massacres in two days in the coastal area of central Syria.
They say the first was at the Sunni village of al-Bayda, which was overrun by regime forces on Thursday.They say the first was at the Sunni village of al-Bayda, which was overrun by regime forces on Thursday.
Activists groups have named up to 50 people they say were massacred in al-Bayda, some of them women and children. Activists groups have named 72 people they say were massacred in al-Bayda, some of them women and children.
Now they are reporting similar scenes at the Ras al-Nabaa quarter of the nearby coastal town of Baniyas, and have posted gruesome video clips to back up their claims. Now they are reporting similar scenes at the Ras al-Nabaa quarter of the nearby coastal town of Baniyas, where they say at least 77 people died.
Some activist groups say 200 were killed in Baniyas. They have posted gruesome video clips to back up their claims.
A video posted online said 20 had been killed, though it was unclear whether 20 was an overall figure, or referred only to that particular location.
Foreign news organisations are severely restricted in Syria, so accounts and videos from activists are difficult to verify.Foreign news organisations are severely restricted in Syria, so accounts and videos from activists are difficult to verify.
The BBC's Jim Muir in neighbouring Lebanon says the clips show the bloodied and tangled bodies of women and children, some of them mutilated or partly incinerated.The BBC's Jim Muir in neighbouring Lebanon says the clips show the bloodied and tangled bodies of women and children, some of them mutilated or partly incinerated.
Hundreds of families are reported to have fled Baniyas southwards towards the city of Tartus, but activists say they have been blocked from taking shelter there.Hundreds of families are reported to have fled Baniyas southwards towards the city of Tartus, but activists say they have been blocked from taking shelter there.
The pro-government militia known as the shabbiha are widely reported to be involved in the operation.The pro-government militia known as the shabbiha are widely reported to be involved in the operation.
Our correspondent says there is clearly a strong sectarian dimension to the reported actions.Our correspondent says there is clearly a strong sectarian dimension to the reported actions.
Local activist and opposition groups have accused the government of launching a campaign of sectarian cleansing in preparation for setting up some kind of Alawite entity, he adds. Local activist and opposition groups have accused the government of launching a campaign of sectarian cleansing, he adds.
The operation is also being seen as a sign of President Bashar al-Assad's determination to fight on and consolidate his government's position.
Mr Assad made a public appearance on Saturday at Damascus University, according to state media.
He unveiled a statue honouring "martyred students", surrounded by bodyguards and crowds of people.
International efforts to tackle the violence have recently focused on the alleged use of chemical weapons by the regime.International efforts to tackle the violence have recently focused on the alleged use of chemical weapons by the regime.
US President Barack Obama has described such actions as a "red line", but he said on Friday that he does not envisage a situation where US troops would be sent to Syria. US President Barack Obama has described such actions as a "red line", but he said on Friday that he did not envisage a situation where US troops would be sent to Syria.
The US has floated the idea in recent weeks of arming the rebel forces.The US has floated the idea in recent weeks of arming the rebel forces.
Analysts say the US and its allies are also discussing action including air strikes to enforce a no-fly zone, but Syria's ally Russia is strongly opposed to such measures.Analysts say the US and its allies are also discussing action including air strikes to enforce a no-fly zone, but Syria's ally Russia is strongly opposed to such measures.