Syria uses army to crush uprising; at least 5 dead

BEIRUT (AP) - Syria sharply escalated its already deadly campaign to crush a five-week uprising early today, sending troops backed by tanks, snipers and knife-wielding security forces into the southern city where the rebellion began. At least five people were killed and dozens arrested, witnesses and activists said. The offensive into Daraa was the most intense in a series of actions to put down dissent and appeared part of new strategy for pre-emptive strikes against the opposition to President Bashar Assad’s regime rather than reacting to marches and protests.