Syrian military raids target protesters

BEIRUT -- Thousands of soldiers backed by tanks and snipers moved in before dawn to the city where Syria's anti-government uprising began, causing panic in the streets when they opened fire indiscriminately on civilians and went house to house rounding up suspected protesters.

At least 11 people were killed and 14 others lay in the streets -- either dead or gravely wounded, witnesses said.

The military raids on the southern city of Daraa and at least two other areas suggested Syria is trying to impose military control on the centers of protests against President Bashar Assad, whose family has ruled Syria for four decades. Residents and human rights activists said the regime wants to terrify opponents and intimidate them from staging any more demonstrations.

The offensive was meticulously planned: Electricity, water and mobile phone services were cut. Armed security agents conducted house-to-house sweeps and checkpoints were erected before sunrise.

"They have snipers firing on everybody who is moving," a witness said by telephone. "They aren't discriminating. There are snipers on the mosque. They are firing at everybody," he added.

The assault on Daraa appeared to be part of a new strategy of crippling pre-emptive strikes against any opposition.

Other arrest sweeps were reported on the outskirts of Damascus and Jableh, bringing more international condemnation and threats of targeted sanctions by Washington. Late Monday, the U.S. State Department issued a new warning, telling American citizens and nonessential U.S. Embassy personnel to leave Syria.