Syrian border block

Syrian troops have recaptured a border town used by refugees to cross to Jordan, activists said, an apparent bid by the regime to stem the flood of people fleeing the civil war.

Hundreds of Syrian soldiers backed by 20 tanks assaulted Tel Chehab yesterday, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Rebels fought back but were pushed out. A Jordanian army officer said: “It sounded like the shelling came from tanks and armoured vehicles. God help the Syrian people.”