This citizen journalist image provided by Shaam News Network and taken on Tuesday, July 3, 2012, purports to show a protest against violence by the Syrian government, in a suburb of Damascus, Syria. The head of Syria's U.N. observer mission says violence in the country has reached "unprecedented" levels and he called for an end to the bloodshed. Arabic on the banner reads, "save the Syrian people, and show the crimes of Asad." (AP Photo/Shaam News Network) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS HAS NO WAY OF INDEPENDENTLY VERIFYING THE CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS PICTURE.
July 06, 2012 - 8:45 AM
BEIRUT - Anti-regime activists say Syrian forces have killed at least 25 people, arrested scores more and torched dozens of homes while seizing a northern city from rebels.
Osama Kayal from the city, Khan Sheikhoun, said Friday that local fighters repelled an army advance early this week, destroying at least six army vehicles and killing the soldiers inside.
Rebels withdrew on Wednesday when a larger force arrived, backed by attack helicopters, said Kayal and other activists.
Kayal said he knew of 25 people who had been killed since Wednesday, but there could be many more.
This raid and other violence reported around Syria on Friday led many activists to dismiss the importance of a meeting by the U.S. and its international partners in Paris to discuss further sanctions against President Bashar Assad.
News from © The Associated Press, 2012