Syrian troops fought intense battles today against rebels who are trying to capture two military bases in the northwest and step up their attacks on army compounds elsewhere in the nation, activists said.

Syrian troops widened their shelling attacks on opposition targets today in another sign that the UN-brokered ceasefire is unravelling, activists said.

IN one of their deadliest attacks yet, Syrian army defectors killed at least 27 government soldiers and police in clashes in the south, activists said. The escalating political unrest yesterday prompted Canada to become the latest country to urge its citizens to leave Syria.

Syrian troops battled army defectors today in clashes that left several military vehicles in flames.