Syrian, Jordanian forces clash in border area

Fighting broke out between Jordanian and Syrian forces in a border region between the two countries overnight, but a Jordanian source said on Saturday no one on Jordan's side appeared to have been killed.

Fighting broke out between Jordanian and Syrian forces in a border region between the two countries overnight, but a Jordanian source said on Saturday no one on Jordan's side appeared to have been killed.

HT Image

A Syrian opposition activist who witnessed the fighting said armoured vehicles were involved in the clash in the Tel Shihab-Turra area, about 80 km north of the Jordanian capital Amman, that occurred after Syrian refugees tried to cross into Jordan.

Syria's long border with Jordan has been an escape route for opponents of Assad, including Prime Minister Riad Hijab who defected this week.

Meanwhile, the US has accused Lebanese militant group Hezbollah of assisting the Syrian government's violent campaign to crush pro-democracy protestors, and announced new sanctions against the group and the Syrian government. Treasury undersecretary David Cohen said the new action was designed "to expose" Hezbollah activity.