The anti-government activists’ reports about the continuing crackdown could not be independently verified.
Syria’s state-run news agency, SANA, reported Sunday that the military dismantled mines and highly explosive booby traps planted by “armed terrorist groups” along roads and bridges leading to Jisr al-Shughour.
In Geneva, the International Committee of the Red Cross said its president, Jakob Kellenberger, was flying to Syria on Sunday to discuss the humanitarian situation with Prime Minister Adel Safar and Foreign Minister Walid Muallem. Kellenberger has repeatedly urged Syria to allow the ICRC and the Syrian Red Crescent access to the wounded and detained in the crackdown.
The opposition estimates more than 1,400 Syrians have been killed and 10,000 detained as Assad’s forces try to preserve his grip on power.
The pro-democracy uprising against the Assad regime has proved remarkably resilient despite the relentless campaign by the military, other security forces and pro-regime gunmen. The government has unleashed troops on mass protests in region after region over the three months, including last Friday, when activists said at least 16 civilians were killed when security forces fired on demonstrators in several cities and towns.
• Karam reported from Beirut.
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