Syrian soldiers, rebels clash in the south; 1 dead

This January 17, 2012 image from amateur video purports to show gangs of Bashar Assad loyalists at the village of Inkhil in Daraa province, Syria. Clashes in the town of Jassem in the province on Friday claimed at least one life, activists say.

A Syrian activist group says fighting between regime troops and rebels in the south has killed one and wounded at least five soldiers.

The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the clashes broke out early Friday in the town of Jassem in the southern province of Daraa.

The 10-month conflict in Syria has grown more militarised as Army defectors joined the uprising against President Bashar Assad and formed a guerrilla force, protecting protesters but also attacking regime troops.

The U.N. estimated in January that at least 5,400 people have been killed in the crackdown.

Activists have called for nationwide protests after Friday prayers to mark the 30th anniversary of the Syrian regime’s assault on the central city of Hama that killed thousands.