Homs has become a major flashpoint between troops loyal to President Bashar al-Assad and army defectors, backing pro-democracy protesters demanding the president's overthrow.

Three people of al-Rastan were injured when pro-Assad forces opened fire with heavy machine guns mounted on the tanks surrounding the town, on the main northern highway leading to Turkey, said citizens. The Syrian troops entered the city to suppress the anti-government protests. They used tanks and artillery to disperse mass demonstrations.

Protesters have reported a military push into towns and villages north of the city of Homs, 100 miles north of Damascus, where increasing numbers of defectors have been organizing and mounting guerrilla raids on loyalist posts.

Between the beginning of the revolt of the Syrian people, the military crackdown has killed at least 2,700 people, including 100 children, according to the United Nations. Syrian authorities say 700 police and army have been killed during the unrest which they blame on "terrorists" and "mutineers".