Syrian Activists: Many Killed in 24 Hours

A wounded Syrian man rests in a medical tent in a regugee camp in Hatay Province, Turkey, June 15, 2011 (Osman Orsal / Reuters)

(BEIRUT) — Syrian activists say up to 30 people have been killed in the past 24 hours as tensions between supporters and opponents of President Bashar Assad's exploded into violence.

The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Monday the killings started over the weekend after three regime supporters were found dead in Homs, their bodies mutilated.

The observatory and a Syrian activist in Homs put the death toll at 30 and said they have the names of the victims. Another activist in Homs said he's not certain if the death toll was as high as 30. He suggested the real number may be about half.

The activists in Homs spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution.

By Associated Press (for Times magazine)