Syrian security forces have pushed into the northwestern village of Ibleen as the government continues its crackdown on dissent.

Activists said there were reports of machine gun fire on Thursday after armored vehicles and jeeps stormed into the region.

The French news agency quotes activists who say forces killed three military defectors during a raid on a house.

The operation comes a day after activists said security forces killed at least 20 people during raids against anti-government protesters, mostly in the central Homs region.

The state-run SANA news agency said Thursday that eight law enforcement and security force members were killed by “armed terrorist groups” in Homs. President Bashar al-Assad's government has blamed much of the deadly violence on armed gunmen and terrorists.

Meanwhile, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says he has urged Syria to carry out political reforms “before it is too late.” During a speech in Australia on Thursday, Mr. Ban said violence against Syrians had continued despite his repeated calls for President Assad to halt his forces' “excessive and lethal” actions.

On Wednesday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Mr. Assad should back away from his violent crackdown on protesters and enter talks with the opposition.

During a live interview in Tehran with a Portuguese television station , the Iranian leader said “a military solution is never the right” one. He said problems must be dealt with through dialogue.

Earlier this year, Iranian security officials used tear gas and electric batons to disperse anti-government protesters in Tehran. Scores were arrested.

The United Nations estimates 2,200 people have been killed since March after Mr. Assad launched the crackdown on dissent.