At least 27 Syrian military and security personnel were killed Thursday in clashes with deserters in the restive province of Daraa, reported the opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights dpa reported
The clashes erupted at three checkpoints in the southern province, added the London-based group.
The observatory did not report about possible casualties among the defectors.
Eight army troopers were killed Wednesday when defectors ambushed their convoy in the province of Hama shortly after army units killed five civilians, according to activists.