At least 11 Syrian troops died and 20 others were hurt in clashes with defectors in the southern Dara'a province. The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the fighting erupted in the village of Basrat al-Harir before dawn on Sunday.
Heavy machine-gun exchanges have also been reported in the nearby town of Dael.
Meanwhile, Qatar has suggested that Western agents join the Arab League monitors in Syria. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem Al Thani claimed the Arab League observer mission in Syria has deviated from its goals, saying that monitors could not stay in Syria to "waste time."
According to him, the Arab League observer mission in Syria has made "some mistakes." Qatar has reportedly built up a strong army of hundreds of volunteers to help overthrow Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
