Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. Syrian Forces Re-Enter Coastal City of Banias VOA News May 07, 2011 Rights activists say Syrian troops with tanks swept into the city of Banias early Saturday, a day after clashes between security forces and anti-government protesters left at least 31 people dead. Witnesses say military boats are patrolling offshore of the coastal city. Also, the French news agency (AFP) says tanks have encircled the nearby town of Baida. Activists say electricity and communications were cut in Banias before the troops entered from three directions. The city has been a hub of protests against President Bashar al-Assad, who launched a military crackdown on the opposition demonstrations. Activists say thousands of people took to the streets after Friday prayers. Protesters gathered in the Syrian capital, Damascus, and in several other cities across the country, calling for the downfall of Mr. Assad's government. Activists say Syrian forces shot and killed at least 26 people. The state-run news agency, SANA, said armed criminal gangs attacked and killed one officer and four policemen in the city of Homs. Syrian security forces also arrested opposition leader Riad Seif on Friday at a pro-democracy demonstration in the central Damascus neighborhood of Midan. The Reuters news agency quoted witnesses who say security forces opened fire on protesters in Tel, a town north of Damascus. Opposition leaders had urged demonstrators to take to the streets Friday for what they called "Day of Defiance" protests. Also Friday, the White House said the United States and its international partners would take "additional steps" against the Syrian government unless it stops killing protesters. The White House did not specify the nature of the steps. In Brussels, European Union officials said they were readying sanctions against 14 Syrian officials connected with the crackdown on protesters. Rights groups say at least 600 people have been killed in Syria's crackdown on nationwide anti-government unrest and that as many as 8,000 are missing or have been detained. Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters. Follow our Middle East reports on [1]Twitter and discuss them on our [2]Facebook page.