Tripoli, Lebanon - A human rights activist says eight people have been killed because of violence in a Syrian border town where witnesses reported hearing crackling gunfire and explosions. Mustafa Osso said Monday that six people were killed in Talkalakh on Sunday and two others - including a soldier - died in Lebanon after crossing the border for treatment. He said military operations were continuing in the town on Monday. Hundreds of people have been fleeing into Lebanon to escape a harsh crackdown against anti-government protests. Human rights groups say more than 800 people have been killed since mid-March. Few reports were leaking out of Talkalakh because Syrian troops have isolated the city and cut telephone lines.
