Syrian security forces killed five people on Wednesday when they opened fire at a car travelling in the restive central province of Hama, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

"Five people died this morning after security forces targeted their car near the town of Khataab in the northern outskirts of Hama," said the Britain-based watchdog without providing further details.

The Observatory added that "three (army) defectors were wounded" during clashes against regular troops in the southern province of Daraa, cradle of the revolt against President Bashar al-Assad.