7 security agents dead in Syria convoy attack: Watchdog

Seven security agents were killed in an attack on their road convoy in northwest Syria today, apparently carried out by army deserters, a rights group said.

"Armed men, suspected deserters, attacked a security forces convoy at the entrance to Maaret al-Noman town in Idlib province, killing seven agents, including an officer," the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

It said in a statement that several others were wounded in the attack.

The vehicle consisted of "40 vehicles -- buses, 4x4 cars and and vehicles of the anti-terrorism services," the Britain-based watchdog added.

"Ambulances rushed to the scene of the attach which was completely sealed of," it said.

The attack took place at 1630 IST and gunfire could still be heard in the early afternoon, the watchdog said.

According to UN estimates more than 3,000 people have been killed in the crackdown against dissent since protests erupted in Syria in mid-March.