Syria is denying that government forces used heavy weapons and aircraft in clashes with rebels in the village of Tremseh last week.

A Syrian Foreign Ministry spokesman says the violence in Tremseh was not a massacre, but an operation targeting armed fighters. He said the most powerful weapon used was an RPG (rocket propelled grenade). He says 39 people were killed Thursday, including two civilians. Activists put the death toll around 150.

U.N. spokeswoman Sausan Ghosheh said the attacks appeared to target the homes of activists and army defectors. She said heavy weapons had apparently been used, a violation of Syria's obligations under Security Council resolutions.