Syrian tanks shell restive oil hub - Middle East - Al Jazeera English: "Syrian forces have killed at least five civilians when tanks shelled the eastern city of Deir ez-Zor, as government forces intensified a pre-Ramadan crackdown against protests, activists said.
Deir ez-Zor, the capital of a province that carries the same name, is an oil hub but one of the country's poorest regions.
'More tank columns are heading to town. By using heavy weapons, security forces are waging war against their own people,' the Syrian Revolution Co-ordination Union grassroots activists' group said late on Saturday.
Activists have predicted that demonstrations will escalate during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which begins on Monday, as both sides try to tip the balance in the more than four-month uprising.
Syria-based rights activist Mustafa Osso said the regime had detained more than 4,000 people in raids over the past week as it tries to contain the situation."
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