The General Authority for the Syrian revolution reported that 12 people were killed overnight by Syrian security forces. Nine of the dead were killed in the shelling by the Syrian army on villages in region of Idlib. Yesterday, at least 20 people were killed, mostly security men in two explosions that targeted the intelligence headquarters.

The General Authority for the Syrian revolt reported that two people were killed and a number of individuals were wounded by the Syrian army in the Hama region last night.

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Fierce clashes killed at least 21 people, including 18 Al-Qaeda militants, today near the southern Yemeni town of Loder, which Al-Qaeda is trying to capture, a local official said.

The other dead were an army officer and two tribal volunteers aiding the military.

The source said the Al-Qaeda militants were forced to retreat in the direction of Amiin, 12 kilometres south of Loder.

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Syrian forces clashed with opposition fighters early Saturday in the coastal city of Latakia, anti-government activists said, further crumbling a shaky cease-fire meant to end 13 months of unrest.

The clashes occurred in Burj Islam village, where a presidential palace is located, according to the opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

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Israeli forces are carrying out more special operations beyond the country’s borders and will be ready to attack Iran’s nuclear sites if ordered, the chief-of-staff said in an interview on Sunday.

In an extract from an interview with the top-selling Yediot Aharanot daily, Lieutenant General Benny Gantz said that 2012 would be a critical year in efforts to halt what Israel and much of the international community believe is an Iranian nuclear arms programme.

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Yemeni government troops seized control Friday of part of an Al Qaeda stronghold in the country’s lawless south after fierce fighting that has left at least 25 militants dead, a military official said.

After launching an attack overnight, the army pushed into the outskirts of Zinjibar, the capital of Abyan province, while the rest of the city remained in the hands of al-Qaeda-linked militants, the official said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief the media.

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