Syrian government tanks rolled into Latakia Saturday, with residents fleeing under heavy gunfire, human-rights activists said.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights in London said women and children fled en masse after tanks and armored personnel carriers descended on the southern district of Al-Ramleh, which has seen large demonstrations against President Bashar Assad in recent days, Radio France Internationale reported.
Another activist in Homs said two tanks flanked by troops entered Jussiyeh on the border with Lebanon, causing more residents to flee across the border.
The Observatory said 2,150 people are confirmed dead since the beginning of protests in May, and at least 16 people were killed Friday by Syrian forces.
