Syrian troops yesterday shelled the southern city of Daraa, killing at least 15 people, according to activists.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Local Co-ordination Committees say dozens of people were also wounded in the attack.

Daraa is the city where the uprising against President Bashar Assad's regime began in March last year.

The latest violence came as Russia amplified its call for an international meeting on Syria, despite saying sanctions or military intervention would "only aggravate the already difficult atmosphere".