Syrian security forces have killed at least 62 people in an escalation of the crackdown on protests ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, activists and residents said.
Most died in raids on the flashpoint city of Hama, where a barrage of shelling and gunfire left bodies scattered in the streets.
Demonstrations calling for President Bashar Assad's ousting are expected to swell during Ramadan, which starts on Monday.
Security forces appeared to be racing against time as they stormed and raided cities and small villages across the country in an attempt to crush a remarkably resilient uprising that began in mid-March.
Having sealed off the main roads into the opposition stronghold of Hama almost a month ago, army troops in tanks pushed into the city from four sides before daybreak in a co-ordinated assault.
Residents shouted "God is great!" and threw firebombs, stones and sticks at the tanks. Hospitals are overwhelmed with casualties and are seeking blood donations, it has been reported.
Foreign Secretary William Hague said the attacks against civilians were "all the more shocking" on the eve of Ramadan and appeared to be part of a "co-ordinated effort to deter Syrians" from protesting during Ramadan.
"President Bashar is mistaken if he believes that oppression and military force will end the crisis in his country. He should stop this assault on his own people now," Mr Hague said in London.
During Ramadan, Muslims throng mosques for special night prayers after breaking their daily dawn-to-dusk fast. The gatherings could trigger intense protests throughout the predominantly Sunni country and activists say authorities are moving to ensure that does not happen.
Other raids were reported in southern Syria and in the suburbs of the capital Damascus. In the neighbourhood of al-Joura in the eastern city of Deir el-Zour, soldiers in tanks fired machine guns, killing at least seven people, activists said.
Source: msn
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