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.
