Syrian army begins military operation in Jisr al-Shughour

The Syrian government blamed the deaths on armed gangs although there were reports of fighting within the security services.

The authorities said on Tuesday that “the state would act firmly, with force and in line with the law. It would not stay arms folded in the face of armed attacks on the security of the homeland.”

Syrian television announced on Friday morning that a military operation had begun: “Our correspondent in Jisr al-Shughour told us now that in response to people’s calls, units from the Syrian Arabic Army started its duties in Jisr al-Shughour … to arrest armed members.”

Rami Abdulrahman of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said residents in the northwestern town told him the army was still advancing towards the town.

“They can hear gunfire and so far we do not have any casualty reports,” he said.

The international media is banned from covering the uprising in Syria, making it virtually impossible to verify any claims.

Thousands of Syrians in the region fled into Turkey on Thursday fearing the military assault. At least 15,000 troops had deployed near Jisr al-Shughour, which residents said had largely emptied of people.

“Jisr al-Shughour is practically empty. People were not going to sit and be slaughtered like lambs,” said one refugee who crossed on Wednesday and who gave his name as Mohammad.

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The latest reports of a government crackdown intensified international concerns over Syria’s handling of pro-democracy protests, inspired by uprisings across the Arab world.

Britain, France, Germany and Portugal have asked the U.N. Security Council to condemn Assad, although veto-wielding Russia has said it would oppose such a move.

World powers have shown no appetite for any Libya-style military intervention in Syria, which has so far shrugged off sanctions and verbal reprimands from abroad.