Syria: military kills '111' in northwest village

Damascus, 21 Dec. (AKI) - More than 100 people have been killed by the Syrian military in a northwest village near the border with Turkey, according to a foreign-based opposition organisation.

London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says 111 people were killed in the town of Kfar Owaid in province of Idlib on Tuesday.

A separate report said 72 army deserters fighting the Syrian military were killed on Monday in Idib province.

The Syrian Free Army, consisting of deserters, is the primary armed opposition to Syria's military and has its main base in neighbouring Turkey from where it conducts cross-border raids.

The United Nations estimates 5,000 people have died amid the government crackdown on anti-government protests that broke out in March.