At least 23 killed near Syria-Turkey border

At least 23 people were killed Saturday in the Syrian province of Idlib near the border with Turkey, opposition activists said, reported dpa.

"At least nine people, mainly (army) defectors, were killed in clashes between government forces and deserters in Idlib," Abu Omar, a Syrian activist, told dpa by phone.

In a separate attack, 14 people died when gunmen shot at a bus transporting prisoners in Idlib, he said.