Government troops backed by tanks attacked two central towns in Syria that are protesting against President Bashar Assad’s government, a local media reported. Several people were wounded in the attack due to intense gunfire by security forces.

The attack on two towns, Rastan and Talbiseh in the central province of Homs started early on Sunday, one Syrian activist told local media.

The security forces and soldiers blocked all the roads leading to Rastan and Talbiseh due to attack the activist told local media on condition of anonymity, fearing government reprisals.

More than 1,000 people have been killed and 10, 000 other arrested since the revolt erupted in Syria in mid-March, Human rights group said. According to Syrian authority 143 soldiers, security forces and police have also been killed in the protest.

The 10-week-old protests have emerged from a unlike movement demanding reforms to a resilient uprising that is now looking for Assad's dismissal.

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