Syrian Army 'Shelling Residential Areas'

Syrian army tanks have been moving into and reportedly shelling residential areas as part of a continued crackdown on anti-government protesters.

The increasing military presence in southern villages near the heart of the country's uprising comes as footage emerged appearing to show brutality from members of its security forces.

One video, purportedly filmed in the capital, Damascus, shows men taking part in a seemingly peaceful march through a shopping centre being bundled into the back of a van.

They are then beaten by security officials thought to be operating for president Bashar Assad's regime.

"The video gives credence to what opposition activists here say has been a change of tactic by security services."

"As well as opening fire on large crowds, when it comes to small crowds, they get what they think are the ringleaders, throw them in the back of the van and they are then tortured, it is claimed, something Syrian authorities deny."

Intense military operations have also taken place in the Damascus suburb of Maadamiyeh, which has been sealed off for days, according to activists.

Meanwhile, Reuters news agency is reporting army tanks have shelled the Bab Amro residential district in Syria's third city of Homs.

Najati Tayrara, a human rights campaigner in the city, said: "Homs is shaking with the sound of explosions from tank shelling and heavy machineguns."

The port city of Banias has seen a series of protests since the uprising began

Syrian troops have been sealing off various areas in southern villages and conducting house-to-house raids in search of people whose names are on wanted lists.

A human rights group reported more than 750 people have been killed in the crackdown on protests, which started in the wake of uprisings in Middle Eastern countries Egypt andTunisia.

And Ammar Qurabi, who heads the National Organisation for Human Rights in Syria, also said thousands had been detained in the past two months, including around 9,000 who are still in custody.

Although foreign journalists are not being granted visas to enter Syria, The Times' reporter Martin Fletcher made it into the country in the guise of a tourist.

He reported seeing more than 100 tanks lining the streets of Homs and said he had "no sense that the regime was anywhere close to losing control".

Mr Fletcher also reported being detained by security services in Homs, before being released after claiming he was a history teacher on sabbatical.

Opposition supporters want to bring an end to the Assad family's authoritarian rule over the country of more than 40 years.