Under the rattle of heavy gunfire and loud explosions, Syrian army troops and tanks attacked a restive northwestern city from two sides Sunday, extending the crackdown on a region that is historically hostile to the authoritarian regime.
The streets of Jisr al-Shughour were deserted at midday — residents said nearly everyone had fled in recent days — and there were piles of debris. Army units entered after dismantling explosives planted on roads and bridges, Syria's state-run news agency SANA said, reporting "heavy" clashes as troops moved in.
Residents of Jisr al-Shughour who fled to Turkey said thousands of young men, including soldiers and police who switched sides and joined the revolt against President Bashar Assad, had armed themselves and planted dynamite at the town entrances.
The Local Coordination Committees, which documents Syrian anti-government protests, said Jisr al-Shughour was attacked from the south and east by troops in about 200 vehicles, including tanks. It said blasts were heard as helicopters clattered overhead.
The region near Turkey's border is posing the biggest challenge yet to President Bashar Assad's struggle to crush the anti-government revolt calling for an end to his family's 40-year regime. Thousands of Syrians in the region have crossed into Turkey in recent days, taking sanctuary in refugee camps.
"Almost all but the young man have fled either to other towns or villages in Syria or to Turkey," said a Syrian teen, who identified himself as Aziz and was across the border in Turkey. "Only the young remained behind and have armed themshelves with AK-47 Kalashnikovs, G-3 rifles or hand guns."
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By: Brant
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