Rights activists say Syrian security forces backed by tanks have entered the town of Houla, while a deadly crackdown in the port city of Latakia continues for a third day.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says troops carried out raids and arrests Monday in Houla, which is located near the flashpoint city of Homs.

Meanwhile, activists and witnesses said security forces continued operations in Latakia against those opposed to President Bashar al-Assad. They say at least 26 people were killed Saturday and Sunday as the military blasted the city with gunfire from the sea, and troops in tanks and vehicles mounted with machine guns fired on coastal areas. Tank fire has been reported in several neighborhoods Monday. Witnesses say residents are trying to flee the city.

The government operation comes after protesters massed in Latakia and other cities on Friday and renewed calls for Mr. Assad's resignation.

The Syrian government has offered a different account of events in Latakia. On Sunday, the state-run SANA news agency said law enforcement officials were chasing heavily armed gunmen who had “terrified” residents in the city. The government has blamed much of the country's deadly unrest on “armed groups” and “terrorists.”

President Assad has been facing growing international condemnation for the crackdown, and the United Nations Security Council is planning to meet Thursday to consider further action against the Syrian government.

Details of events in Syria are difficult to independently verify because the government allows very few foreign news reporters into the country and restricts their movements.

Rights groups and activists say at least 1,700 people have been killed since the start of the government's crackdown.