Units of Syrian army started Friday widespread operation in the flashpoint northwestern town of Jisr al-Shughur.

The state-run SANA news agency reported the army had begun an operation against "armed groups" in the restive town of Jisr al- Shughur where the authority said 120 policemen were killed last week.

According to media report, some 2,500 Syrians fled to Turkey on Thursday, after troops backed with tanks rolled into the town.

Syria blames "armed terrorist gangs" backed by "foreign conspiracy" on standing behind three-month-long unprecedented turmoil.