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Syrian forces encircle area near Lebanese border, say activists

Arab World Materials 14 January 2012 12:01 (UTC +04:00)
Dozens of Syrian tanks surrounded Saturday the area of Zabadani, which is close to the Lebanese eastern border with Syria
Syrian forces encircle area near Lebanese border, say activists

Dozens of Syrian tanks surrounded Saturday the area of Zabadani, which is close to the Lebanese eastern border with Syria, activists in the area told dpa.

Electricity and communication lines were cut, added the activists.

"The regime forces are focusing their clampdown on these areas in Reef Damascus, because they are close to the capital, and because they believe that a high-ranking army defector is hiding there," one activist said on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal.

At least 28 people were killed Friday in a crackdown by government forces against pro-democracy protesters across Syria, according to opposition activists.

The dead included children aged between 11 and 14, killed during a protest in the area of Hayeth, near the restive province of Hama, added the opposition.

More than 5,000 people, including at least 200 children, have been killed in the Syrian government's crackdown on protests since they started in March, according to the United Nations.

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