Rocket Kills 9 Syrian Troops in Hama

Nine Syrian soldiers, including an officer, were killed on Wednesday by a rocket, probably fired by army deserters, in the flashpoint Hama region, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

"Nine servicemen, including an officer of the Syrian regular army, were killed by a rocket, fired by armed men, probably deserters. The soldiers were on a vehicle in al-Hamrat village, on the Hama-Salamiyah road," the Britain-based rights group said.

Clashes between security forces and soldiers who have deserted and joined the opposition calling for the ouster of Syrian President Bashar Assad, have become more frequent in recent week, particularly in the center of the country.