Syria army deserters 'kill 15 security personnel'

The army has been fighting to crush a seven-month revolt against President Assad

Continue reading the main story

Syria Crisis

• Undercover in Homs
• Why West was rebuffed at UN
• Inside Damascus, a city on edge
• Is unrest heading to civil war?

Fifteen members of the Syrian security forces and pro-government gunmen have been killed by army defectors, according to a UK-based rights group.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said seven soldiers died when a bomb hit an army convoy in Hama province.

Eight security personnel and loyalist gunmen were killed in a second attack in the same area, it added.

The attack came as the Arab League said that Syria had agreed to its proposals to end the violence.

The agreement requires Syria to withdraw all troops from cities and an immediate cessation to all killing. It also sets a timeframe for talks with the opposition.

Peace plan

Protests against President Bashar al-Assad have taken place since March but have become increasingly violent as soldiers have defected to the opposition instead of firing on activists.

An Observatory official said the central cities of Homs and Hama were being surrounded by tanks, and deserters have been trying to create a "safe passage" for civilians to get out for medical treatment and for food to get in.

Continue reading the main story

Analysis

Jon LeyneBBC News, Cairo

If it is implemented in full, this deal between Syria and the Arab League appears to be a dramatic breakthrough. But the opposition will be deeply sceptical about the Syrian government's intentions.

The opposition believe that if Syrian government forces really are pulled off the streets, President Assad would rapidly lose control of the country.

The Arab League has also made it clear Syria is on notice. As part of the agreement, Arab League officials and international journalists are to be allowed in to monitor implementation. So that could provide an early test of Syria's intentions.

The other element in this agreement is the beginning of a national dialogue between the Syrian government and opposition. The agreement does not specify a location. The opposition will fear that the Syrian authorities have been left just enough ambiguity to play for time.

The dialogue is due to begin in just two weeks' time. If that does not happen, the pressure on Syria, and on the Arab league to take action, can only grow.

Earlier on Wednesday, gunmen stormed a factory in Homs, killing 11 workers, according to activists. Amateur video showed the bodies, bound and gagged, lying on the floor.

Security forces also shot dead eight civilians in several Homs neighbourhoods, the Observatory said.

Following talks in Cairo, the Arab League announced the Syrian government had agreed to peace proposals aimed at ending the violence.

The plan includes the release of prisoners, the withdrawal of security forces from the streets, and talks between the government and opposition.

Syria is also required to allow journalists, rights groups and League representatives to move freely in the country to monitor the situation.

Landmines

Meanwhile, US state department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said the US would judge Syria's leaders "by their actions", rather than their words.

Reports that Syria has laid landmines along its border with Lebanon have brought swift condemnation from campaigners.

Syrian sources quoted by AP news agency said they had been planted to prevent weapons smuggling.

At least 3,000 people have been killed in the unrest in Syria, while hundreds of others have disappeared.

The government of Mr Assad - who took over from his father as president in 2000 - says the violence is being carried out by "armed gangs" and "terrorists". More than 1,000 security personnel have lost their lives in the fighting, the government claims.

Foreign journalists are unable to move around Syria freely and information is tightly controlled, making reports difficult to verify.