The US has strongly condemned Syria's "outrageous use of violence" against anti-government protesters. The White House said the government was leading Syria down a "dangerous path" and called for "an immediate end to the brutality and violence".
Activists say at least 32 people were killed in fresh clashes on Friday.
The violence came as government forces moved into the town of Jisr al-Shughour, where it said 120 security personnel had
killed.
Hundreds of civilians have fled north into Turkey to escape the assault.
Assad 'unavailable'In a statement, White House spokesman Jay Carney repeated calls for the Syrian security forces to exercise restraint.
"The Syrian government is leading Syria on a dangerous path," he said.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, meanwhile, described the use of military force as "unacceptable".
A spokesman for Mr Ban said he was "keen to speak to" Syria's president, but that Bashar al-Assad had repeatedly been "unavailable" in recent days.
Syria has prevented foreign journalists, including those from the BBC, from entering the country, making it difficult to independently verify reports from there
In the most serious of Friday's incidents, anti-government activists said about 15 people had died in the northern province of Idlib.
They said most of the deaths were in Maarat al-Numan, where tanks and helicopters are said to have fired on protesters who had taken to the streets after prayers.
State TV and opposition figures said police stations in the town had been attacked by protesters.
Correspondents say it is the first reported use of air power to quell protests in Syria's three-month uprising.
'Mutiny'Both state media and activists on the ground also reported troops and tanks advancing on Jisr al-Shughour.
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