Activists: Syrian troops and pro-government militiamen storm Sunni village, killing 15

BEIRUT – A Syrian activist group says government troops backed by allied militiamen have stormed a predominantly Sunni village in the center of the country, killing at least 15 people.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the attack on the village of Sheik Hadid occurred late Friday.

The group said the dead included two women and a child. It says the rest were men but does not know if they included rebel fighters.

The assault came shortly after rebels captured Jalma, another village close to Sheik Hadid in Hama province, killing five soldiers.

The Observatory says fighting raged Saturday in Sheik Hadid and nearby areas.

Syria's 2 ½-year conflict has left more than 100,000 people dead.