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Syrian Forces Close in on City, Residents Flee

   VOA News  June 11, 2011
   In this photo taken during a government-organized visit for media,
   Syrian army soldiers ride on their military trucks as they enter the
   villages near the town of Jisr al-Shughour, north of Damascus, June 10,
   2011

Photo: AP

   In this photo taken during a government-organized visit for media,
   Syrian army soldiers ride on their military trucks as they enter the
   villages near the town of Jisr al-Shughour, north of Damascus, June 10,
   2011

   Syrian security forces backed by tanks increased their efforts to
   control a northern city near Turkey's border, as the number of Syrians
   who have fled into Turkey swelled to more than 4,300.
   Turkish officials say they expect the influx of refugees to continue.
   Most of the Syrians are from Jisr al-Shughour. Witnesses and activists
   say soldiers appear to be sealing off the city, after the government
   accused "armed gangs" there of killing 120 security personnel and
   promised decisive action.
   A state-run media report, Saturday, says army units have arrested "two
   leading groups of armed gangs" in the city. It says security forces
   seized weapons and explosives during the arrests.
   On Friday, at least 32 people were killed as protesters across Syria
   rallied against President Bashar al-Assad's government. Activists say
   security forces opened fire on demonstrators in several cities.
   They say at least seven protesters were killed in the town of Latakia
   as they tried to tear down a giant poster of Mr. Assad. The French News
   Agency says about 3,000 mourners turned out on Saturday for the funeral
   of one of the protesters killed in the city.
   Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says Syria is
   engaging in "horrific" attacks against its citizens. But, she says the
   international community is not currently considering a plan to act
   militarily against Syria, as in Libya-- because there is not a regional
   consensus.
   At the United Nations, diplomats held new talks on a draft resolution
   condemning the violence, but failed to reach an agreement. Many Western
   nations support the measure, but Russia and China have voiced
   opposition.
   U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon tried several times to call Mr.
   Assad, but U.N. officials said the Syrian leader has refused to take
   the calls. Later, Mr. Ban said the use of military force against
   civilians was "unacceptable," and he expressed concern about the
   carnage.
   Rights groups say at least 1,100 people have been killed in the Syrian
   crackdown that began in March and more than 10,000 people arrested.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
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References

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