Syrian troops and rebels clash across country

11 June 2012 | 18:32 Code : 1902605 Latest Headlines

(AP) — Activists are reporting that Syrian troops and helicopters are clashing with rebels in the central town of Rastan.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Local Coordination Committees are also reporting government shelling Monday in the central provinces of Homs and Hama, the southern region of Daraa, the northern province of Aleppo, suburbs of the capital Damascus and Deir el-Zour in the east.

The Observatory said government forces used helicopters in their attacks on Rastan, which is held by the rebels.

Violence has intensified recently despite that an internationally-brokered cease-fire went into effect on April 12. The truce was repeatedly violated.