'Scorched earth' policy as Syrian tanks push north

Activists said today that Syrian tanks and troops were pushing towards more towns and villages near the border with Turkey and pursuing a "scorched earth" strategy, destroying houses and crops.

As the government expanded its crackdown on dissent, tanks were said to be at the northern town of Maaret al-Numan and villages near Jisr al-Shughour.

Human rights activist Mustafa Osso said that heavy armour was also moving in the eastern province of Deir el-Zour on the border with Iraq.

More than 1,400 Syrians are said to have died and some 10,000 have been detained in the government crackdown since the popular uprising began in mid-March. Thousands have fled to Turkey.