Syrian forces have raided at least two towns on Tuesday in a continuing crackdown on dissent nationwide.

Rights activists say at least 20 people were wounded in Rastan after security forces with machine guns and tanks pushed into the town, where some have been rebelling against government authority.

Rastan lies between the flashpoint cities of Homs and Hama. The region has been a central point in the protests against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says at least two people were killed after government forces entered the northern town of Jabal al-Zawiya on Tuesday.

The operations come a day after Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Mouallem blamed armed groups for the situation in Syria, and lashed out at the United States and European Union for imposing sanctions.

In a speech Monday to the U.N. General Assembly in New York, Mouallem accused the U.S. and EU of jeopardizing the interests and basic needs of Syrians while pronouncing concerns for their security and rights.

Human Rights Watch rejected Syria's explanation of the violence. The group's U.N. director said facts documented by the U.N. and Human Rights Watch show the Syrian government has carried out a “merciless campaign” of killings, torture and arbitrary detentions of its people. He urged the U.N. Security Council to take action.

President Assad has repeatedly sent troops across the country to quell anti-government protests.

The U.N. says the government crackdown has killed at least 2,700 people since mass protests started in March.