Syrian Troops Storm Parts of Eastern City

Source: Associated Press

BEIRUT (AP) — Activists say Syrian troops have stormed parts of the eastern city of Deir el-Zour and explosions can be heard throughout the area.

An activist in the city tells The Associated Press the military launched a pre-dawn raid Sunday on the city, attacking it from four sides and so far taking control of eight neighborhoods.

On Saturday, Syrian forces tightened a siege on the city of Hama, the main center of the nearly five-month-old uprising against President Bashar Assad's regime.

The activist said the military raid on Deir el-Zour began at 4 a.m. Sunday. The activist spoke on condition of anonymity, fearing reprisals.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2011/08/07/world/middleeast/AP-ML-Syria.html