The Syrian government continues a crackdown on opposition protesters amidst growing international pressure. At least 16 people have reportedly been killed in the town of Homs. Syrian troops also took control of the restive city Deir ez-Zor on Wednesday following four days of attacks. Syrian forces also reportedly raided two towns near the border with Turkey — just one day after the Turkish foreign minister called for an end to attacks on Syrian civilians. The embattled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, meanwhile, has admitted his forces “made some mistakes” in its response to the uprising. Assad spoke in a private meeting with a delegation of U.N. Security Council members from Brazil, India and South Africa. At the United Nations, Syrian envoy Bashar Jaafari caused a stir after comparing the situation in Syria to the riots in Britain.

Syrian Envoy Bashar Jaafari: “It’s very indicative and informative to hear the prime minister of England describing the riots and the rioters in England by using the term 'gangs,' while they don’t allow us to use the same term for the armed groups and the terrorist groups in my country. This is hypocrisy. This is arrogance.”