Syrian troops battle hundreds of renegade soldiers

Syrian troops fought intense battles with hundreds of fellow soldiers who have turned their weapons against the regime of President Bashar Assad, revealing the increasingly militarized nature of an uprising started months ago by peaceful protesters.         

Also Friday, tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets across the country as they do each week after Friday prayers, braving gunfire by government forces who have waged a relentless crackdown. At least 11 protesters were killed and scores were wounded, human rights groups said.         

Opposition activists and the government confirmed a fourth straight day of battles in Rastan, just north of the central city of Homs. The fighting, which began with a government assault on Tuesday, is some of the most intense since the outpouring against Assad's regime began in mid-March.             

Around 250 tanks and other army vehicles began entering the town early in the day, according to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.     

-AP