Syria troops 'raid town' near Turkey border

Syrian troops have stormed into a town near the border with Turkey, reports say, as the government presses its campaign to crush a popular revolt.

Witnesses and anti-government activists said tanks and soldiers swept into Bdama, making dozens of arrests.

Thousands of Syrian people have arrived in the border area over the past week, escaping military action in the north.

Turkey says some 10,000 have crossed over to its territory but many more are camping on the Syrian side.

The UK on Saturday advised against all travel to Syria and urged its nationals to leave as soon as possible.

Residents said the army moved into Bdama, about 2km (1.2 miles) from the Turkish border, early on Saturday morning, firing machine guns and setting fire to buildings.

"They came at 7am to Bdama," said Saria Hammouda, a lawyer living in the border town.

"I counted nine tanks, 10 armoured carriers, 20 jeeps and 10 buses. I saw shabbiha (pro-government fighters) setting fire to two houses," she added.