Nicosia (ANTARA News/AFP) - At least 17 soldiers were killed in armed clashes between Syrian troops and deserters in the flashpoint city of Homs, a rights watchdog said on Saturday.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the 17 troops were killed as gunmen, believed to be army deserters, attacked two checkpoints late on Friday.

It said that overnight clashes in Bab al-Sibaa district of Homs during which two army armoured cars were destroyed left dozens of casualties after an officer and dozens of soldiers defected.
(Uu.H-AK)

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