Jisr al-Shughur

The city of Jisr al-Shughur on the Orontes, where Syria claims 120 security forces were killed by protesters and has pledged vengeance, has apparently been under fire all day. Much of the population has fled either into the neighboring mountains or across the Turkish border. Apparently anyone appearing in the streets is fired upon by helicopters or armor. What really happened earlier this week is still unclear, but many reports suggest a military unit went over to the protesters and then was shot by loyalist troops, or something similar.

We are seeing a real worsening of the situation in Syria, and may be entering Hama 1982 territory in  terms of the government's level of ruthlessness. But even that was a real uprising by the Muslim Brotherhood,while by all accounts except the government's the current demonstrations are unarmed.

I'm off for the weekend unless events compel me to post.