Reports from Syria say the army has cordoned off a western suburb of Damascus. Security forces also continued operations in the country's third biggest city Homs and towns of Banias and around Deraa in the south. The Syrian army said, six soldiers have been killed in the latest operation. Troops backed by tanks have moved into parts of the central city of Homs. More than 200 people have been detained in the coastal city of Banias and a young boy has been killed in the central city of Homs. Witnesses say authorities have cut electricity and communications in Banias and Homs.