Syrian troops regain control of border town

ELITE Syrian troops backed by helicopters and tanks yesterday regained control of a town where police and soldiers had joined forces with the protesters they were ordered to shoot.

It was a decisive assault from a government prepared for an all-out battle to keep power. Troops led by the president’s brother shelled Jisr al-Shughour as the gunships hovered overhead, paving the way for scores of tanks and armoured personnel carriers to roll in. By early afternoon, the army was in control.

Yesterday’s developments, and actions by opponents of the Syrian government, marked a major departure from what had been a largely peaceful protest movement.