Syrian forces push into Saraqib, death toll escalates

(CNN) -- Syrian troops rolled into the northwestern city of Saraqib early Thursday morning, just hours after evening prayers there called for an end to President Bashar al-Assad's reign, an opposition group said.

Residents reported heavy gunfire soon after the troops arrived in tanks and buses, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

The latest military action comes as violence erupted in other towns and amid a growing chorus of international calls for Syria's government to end its brutal drive on peaceful protesters...

After evening prayers in Hama on Wednesday, an opposition activist says demonstrators took to the streets in the southern part of the city. Security forces opened fire, killing two people, according to the activist, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons.