4,000 taking sanctuary across Turkish frontier BEIRUT: Syrian soldiers and police officers who deserted rather than fire on protesters in a restive northern city remained behind to fight against an expected all-out government assault, a resident said. Troops loyal to the regime came under sniper fire Saturday as they approached. Tanks and thousands of forces sealed the roads leading to the mostly deserted town of Jisr Al-Shughour in response to what the government claims were attacks by “armed groups” that killed more than 120 officers and security personnel last week. Refugees reaching Turkey said the chaos erupted as government forces and police mutinied and joined the local population. President Bashar Al-Assad is struggling to crush a nearly three-month uprising against his family's 40-year rule. Human rights groups say more than 1,300 people have died in the government crackdown. Syrian troops backed by tanks, helicopters and heavy armor have been operating in the area for several days, and it was not clear why the army was delaying an assault. Journalists invited to accompany troops to the north, including an AP reporter, came under fire about a mile outside Jisr Al-Shughour, and the government blamed snipers stationed in nearby hills. No casualties were reported. Residents and activists reported heavy gunfire in the Qarqouz village, about 7 km from Jisr Al-Shughour, after the army and security forces stormed in, but there were no immediate reports of casualties. The rare invitation on an organized trip apparently reflects a new government effort to counter criticism and prove the existence of armed gangs. The government has denied a mutiny. Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem called on the United Nations to help his country fight “terrorist groups.” In an interview he gave to the Syrianow website, Moallem said he had sent an urgent message to the UN chief warning that any Security Council resolution targeting Syria would be considered “intervention in his country's internal affairs.” On Friday, a UN spokesman said Assad was avoiding UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's calls. Authorities said they have made some arrests and killed and wounded many of the armed men around Jisr Al-Shughour. About 80 percent of the population has fled, with more than 4,000 Syrians taking sanctuary across the nearby Turkish frontier. Jamil Saeb, an activist from the town who was reached by phone, suggested the army was afraid to take on the people who stayed behind because Jisr Al-Shughour is “known to be exceptionally fierce.” He said several army deserters and officers were still there and have vowed to protect unarmed residents. Syria's brutal crackdown has angered the leader of neighboring Turkey, who accused the Assad regime of “savagery.” A Turkish official at Altinozu on the Turkish side of the border said capacity was near full at the camp there and newcomers would be taken to a third camp at Boynuyogun.
