Tanks Surround Damascus Suburb

BBC reports:

Heavy shooting has been heard in a western suburb of the Syrian capital, Damascus, after the army cordoned off the area, human rights activists say.

Security forces are also continuing their efforts to crush anti-government protests in the central city of Homs, Deraa and the coastal town of Baniyas.

On Sunday, there were reports from Homs of gunfire, arrests and deaths, including that of a 12-year-old boy.

State media also said 10 labourers had been killed in an ambush by gunmen.

Foreign journalists have not been allowed to enter Syria, so the reports are difficult to verify independently.

On Monday morning, reports from activist websites said that the suburb of Muadhamiya, west of Damascus, was cut off by the army.

Soldiers and tanks were deployed on the town's main streets and outside mosques, and snipers were positioned on tall buildings, the websites added. There was also a large number of arrests reported.

Heavy gunfire could be heard and clouds of black smoke were hanging over the area. Electricity and telephone lines were cut off.