Syrian troops storm mosque killing at least four

The Syrian army has seized control of a mosque in Daraa killing at least four protestors in an effort to crack down on anti-government protests.  The military intervention involved soldiers supported by tanks, snipers and paratroopers.

Among those killed was said to be the mosque’s imam Sheik Ahmad Sayasna.

The attack coincides with the arrest of 11 women in the al-Salihiya district of Damascus during a silent protest in support of the Deraa residents.

UK Foreign Secretary William Hague voiced concern at the reports of hundreds of deaths, saying: “The Syrian government has failed to heed repeated calls by the international community for restraint.”