Video | Witness reports claim ‘bodies in streets’ in Syria

The reports were made by residents in Deraa and said tanks were being deployed. Reports also were made of gunfire near the town’s main mosque and of two helicopters sent to the area.

Witnesses say bodies were lying in the streets, whilst journalists were refused permission to legally enter Syria.

Human rights activists claim more than 300 people have now been killed, including more than 100 in the past few days.

Meanwhile, the White House said it was considering introducing “targeted” sanctions against the Syrian government to make it clear that crackdowns were “unacceptable”.