Turkey Condemns Syrian 'Atrocities'

The BBC reports:

The Syrian army has begun operations to "restore security" to the town of Jisr al-Shughour and the surrounding area, state TV says.

Earlier in the week, the Syrian government said 120 security personnel were killed in the north-western town. The announcement, and the positioning of troops in the area, has prompted a flow of refugees to nearby Turkey.

Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Syria was committing "atrocities", in remarks quoted by Turkish media. Turkey says more than 2,000 Syrians have crossed the border seeking refuge from the anticipated crackdown in Jisr al-Shughour.

Syria's government has blamed the deaths in the town on armed groups, but there are reports of a mutiny among security forces.

Syrian state TV said armed men had prepared defences and set fire to crops and trees around Jisr al-Shughour in order to slow the army's advance.

Syria has prevented foreign journalists, including those from the BBC, from entering the country, making it difficult to verify reports from there.