Cairo: Syrian activists say 11 soldiers and several civilians have died in clashes and attacks. The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said fighting between government troops and military defectors in the town of Basr Al Harir in southern Daraa province yesterday killed 11 soldiers and wounded more than 20.
The Observatory and other activist networks reported several civilians killed in government raids in the central Homs region and eastern Deir Al Zour province. The number of civilians killed was not immediately clear and the reports could not be independently confirmed as Syria has barred most foreign journalists from the country.
The violence came as Arab ministers gathered yesterday to review the record of a widely criticised observer mission to Syria, amid growing calls for the bloc to cede to the United Nations the lead role in trying to end nearly 10 months of bloodshed.
The ministerial committee on Syria met in Cairo, where the Arab League has its headquarters, to be briefed by the head of the mission, General Mohammad Ahmad Mustafa Al Dabi.
First report
The meeting, chaired by Qatari Prime Minister Shaikh Hamad Bin Jasem Al Thani, will discuss the monitors' first report, which will contain "pictures, maps and information of the events witnessed by the monitors on the ground", Arab League Assistant Secretary General Ahmad Bin Hilli said.
The report "assesses the situation on the ground in Syria and looks at the steps that can be taken in the coming phase", he told reporters before the meeting.
A team of Arab League monitors has been in Syria since December 26, trying to assess whether President Bashar Al Assad's regime is complying with a peace accord aimed at ending its deadly crackdown on dissent.
Critics say it has been completely outmanoeuvred by the government and has failed to make any progress towards stemming the crackdown. They have called for the mission to pull out.
General Al Dabi said it was too early to judge the mission. "This is the first time that the Arab League has carried out such a mission," he told Britain's Observer newspaper. "But it has only just started, so I have not had enough time to form a view."
