Thousands of Syrian troops and columns of tanks are moving toward the northwestern town of Jisr al-Shughour preparing to storm it, Al Jazeera reported on Thursday.
More than 120 security forces personnel in and around the town were reportedly killed in recent days in the revolt against President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
The government has indicated it will take forceful action to restore its control.
Media reports said security forces were on their way to the town in response to calls for help from residents on Monday when they died in an ambush and an explosion at a post office.
Interior Minister Mohammed Ibrahim al-Shaar said Syria would hit back at militant groups.
“The state will act firmly, with force and in line with the law,” he said.
Earlier on Thursday, Russia rejected a possible UN Security Council resolution condemning the violence in Syria, saying that the situation in the country posed no threat to international stability.
On Wednesday, Britain, France, Germany and Portugal submitted a draft resolution at the Security Council condemning Syria.
MOSCOW, June 9 (RIA Novosti)