Syrian tanks have attacked Jisr al-Shughour, the north-western town that has become the latest focal point for the uprising against the regime of Bashar al-Assad, with even state television reporting “heavy confrontations” in the area.

But while state television conceded that regime forces were involved in heavy fighting against “members of armed organisations” around Jisr al-Shughour on Sunday, questions remained over just whom they were fighting.

Activists and residents say the original confrontation in Jisr al-Shughour earlier this month, which state authorities say killed 120 members of the security forces, was a clash between units loyal to the regime and those sympathetic to protesters. Opposition activists said on Sunday they continued to have evidence that many of those fighting against Assad loyalists were former soldiers who had defected.