At least seven people were killed Friday by Syrian government forces in the restive central province of Hama, opposition activists said dpa reported
"Tanks shelled the neighbourhood of al-Hamidiyeh in Hama, as 30 rocket launchers were seen being positioned in areas surrounding the province," Ahmed al-Hamawi, an activist based in northern Lebanon, told dpa.
"So far seven have been killed and 11 others wounded," he said.
The bodies of 14 people killed by security forces and pro-government militiamen were recovered in Hama, the opposition said.
There was no immediate comment from the government.
More than 5,400 people have been killed in Syria since the pro-democracy uprising erupted in mid-March, according to the United Nations.
However, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said Thursday the world body could not keep track of the death toll in Syria due to an escalation of the violence.