Syrian forces shoot dead dozens of protesters

Syrian security forces launched a long-feared operation aimed at restoring security in a rebel northern border town, killing dozens of pro-democracy demonstrators.

An activist group claimed that at least 22 people were killed in a major operation against anti-government protesters launched by Syrian military forces on Friday morning near the city of Jisr al-Shughour. "In response to an appeal from the families, units of the Syrian military began implementing its mandate to restore security in Jisr al-Shugur and the surrounding villages and arrest a number of militants," Syrian state TV announced on Friday morning.According to witnesses, dozens of tanks have been deployed to the area. Refugees and opposition activists said they heard tanks firing their cannons as they advanced through villages moving toward Jisr Al-Shugur.Activist groups claimed that 32 died in protests and army operations across Syria on Friday.The killings mainly occurred on the southwestern Hauran plateau, where the uprisings against Baathist rule started, and in Damascus and the northwestern province of Idlib, the latest region where troops and tanks have been deployed to disperse protesters. Human rights groups say more than 1,300 people have been killed since the uprising began. Syria's government says 500 security forces have also been killed.Hundreds of Syrians streamed across the border into Turkey, trying to escape the violence.The UN, meanwhile, is still considering a new resolution against Syria.  Russia strongly opposes UN resolution against Syria.