Activists say Syrian security forces have detained dozens of people in Latakia — a day after the government announced it was withdrawing its military from the port city.

State-run media had announced the pullout after a four-day operation to crush dissent. But the activists said there were more arrests Wednesday, with security forces conducting house-to-house sweeps. Rights groups say hundreds of detainees were put on buses and taken to a sports stadium.

Syrian activists said at least 35 people have been killed in the Latakia crackdown.

Syria also said Tuesday it had begun to withdraw forces from the eastern town of Deir el-Zour. However, activists said Wednesday that troops remain in the city.

They also say government forces have detained dozens of people during raids in the capital, Damascus.

Meanwhile, a man was shot and killed in a northern village near the Turkish border on Wednesday. Activists say security forces were in the area at the time.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has been facing growing international pressure to end the violent crackdown.

On Wednesday, the United Nations announced it was withdrawing its non-essential personnel from Syria. On Thursday, the U.N. Security Council will hold a special session on Syria that will include a briefing from human rights chief Navi Pillay.

Meanwhile, Turkey and Jordan renewed calls on Wednesday for Mr. Assad to end the crackdown. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said “the bloodshed must stop” during a joint news conference with his Jordanian counterpart.

On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the situation in Syria is “galvanizing international opinion” against Mr. Assad's government. She said the U.S. is pushing for stronger sanctions against Syria and hopes countries with closer economic ties to that country will join the efforts.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague said Tuesday he was “appalled by the ongoing repression of civilians.”

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