BBC News

with Sue Montgomery

叙利亚军队进入德拉市

The Syrian authorities have launched a heavy attack on the southern town of Deraa, the centre of anti-government protests. Opposition activists say at least 20 people have been killed and many others injured. The Syrian government said the troops had been invited to the town to

hunt for

what it called 'extremist terrorist groups'. Adam Mynott has compiled this report.

The Syrian government made it very clear today that it will tolerate no dissent. Tanks rumbled down the streets of Deraa, trying to seize the city back from protesters. The army moved in

in force

, firing at demonstrators. Syria is trying to ruthlessly crush resistance. 5,000 troops are said to have been mobilized. There are reports of bodies lying in the streets and more people killed today, taking the death toll to more than 350 since protests in Syria began last month.

美国撤离叙利亚使馆人员 白宫表示正考虑制裁

Meanwhile the United States says it's considering a range of targeted sanctions against the Syrian government. With the details, Andrew North.

These sanctions could include a freeze on the assets of Syrian government officials as well as a ban on US business ties. It's a sign of the White House starting to take a tougher line on Syria's use of violence against protesters after much criticism here that it has been too soft. But these are only limited sanctions and critics point out the contrast between its military action in Libya, but also with its response to Bahrain and Yemen, where the authorities have also used violence to put down protests, but where the White House has limited itself to words of condemnation.