Syrian Forces Go House to House, Arresting Hundreds

Syrian security forces went from house to house today, rounding up hundreds of people in an attempt to quell the pro-democracy unrest stirring across the country, human rights activists tell Reuters. "They are continuing their arrest operation in all the cities of Syria. They have lists and they are going into houses looking for people," says one. "These are arbitrary arrests, it is happening without a warrant. We do not know what their charges are. Nobody knows."

Security forces reportedly broke into houses in Daraa, looking for men under 40, following the weekend attacks that shelled the city into submission. The state news agency claimed the army was tracking down "terrorist groups that have terrorized civilians" and had killed 10 to 15 and arrested 499. Human rights groups say the total civilian toll from the uprising stands at 560. Click for the latest on Syria.