Syrian troops retake town after mutiny

The operation comes as President Bashar al Assad continues his crackdown against dissidents challenging his 11-year rule.

Thousands of residents of the town of 50,000 people, located on a vital road junction, fled to Turkey, about 12 miles away, before Sunday's assault, leaving much of the town deserted.

The attack was launched after police and soldiers reportedly joined forces with protesters they were ordered to shoot.

A man identifying himself as a Syrian army defector said anti-government forces had set traps to delay the advance by Syrian troops, so people escape.

People who fled for the Turkish border said about 60 mutineers were defending the down alongside some 200 unarmed residents.

Their fate is unknown, but the Government has reported three deaths in the fighting - one of its own soldiers and two unidentified men whose bodies were shown to reporters.

The main Syrian activist group organising protests said the crackdown on activists demanding democratic freedoms and an end to oppression has killed 1,300 civilians since February.

Estimates say 5,000 Syrian refugees have crossed into Turkey.

A UN refugee spokesman said the Red Crescent was preparing a fourth camp with room for 2,500 more.

Witnesses said some 10,000 Syrians were sheltering near the border and residents said most of Jisr al Shughour's population had fled the town.

The government said last week that "armed gangs" had killed more than 120 security personnel in the town after large demonstrations there.

Activists and refugees said Syrian authorities deployed helicopter gunships on several towns on Friday in the first known use of air power against the protests.

Refugees and rights groups said the dead were civilians killed by security forces or soldiers who had been shot for refusing to fire on civilians. It was also possible the troops were killed by rebelling soldiers.

But the government says the protests are part of a violent conspiracy backed by foreign powers to sow sectarian strife.