Syrian Troops Raid Homs Suburb

Armed Syrian troops raided a town near the city of Homs on Monday, firing heavy artillery in the region where a number of soldiers have reportedly been defecting. One woman was killed, five others were injured, and at least 10 were arrested during house raids. President Bashar al-Assad’s authorities have denied all defections, which have been increasing ever since Muammar Gaddafi’s grip on Libya began slipping. "The regime's political control on the army had seemed unbreakable, but that is no longer the case,” a Syrian political analyst told Reuters. Meanwhile, Syrian opposition leaders have announced the formation of a transitional national council to lead the uprising.