DAMASCUS - A military source said Sunday that Syrian army units and security forces are still hunting down "terrorist armed groups" in the southern province of Daraa, and they have killed ten "terrorists" and arrested 499 others.

The source was quoted by Syria's official news agency as saying that those groups have "terrified secured residents," adding that two field hospitals were found inside the Abdullah Bin Abbas and the Abdullah Bin Rawahah Mosques.

The Syrian army units exchanged fire with snipers who were gunning down bystanders from atop the minaret of al-Kark Mosque, it said, adding that all snipers have been arrested and their weapons were seized.

The source indicated that two army officers were killed and eight others were injured.

Syria has been wracked by more than six weeks of protests amid calls for sweeping reforms. The protests have left more than 90 army personnel and security agents killed across the country. Syria blamed the violent acts on "extremist terrorist groups."