Updated

BEIRUT -- The Syrian armed forces say in a rare televised statement that six elite military pilots have been killed in an ambush.

Friday's statement said the attack happened the day before in Homs province and it marked a dangerous escalation in the conflict.

Syria is the scene of the deadliest crackdown against the Arab Spring's eruption of protests and international pressure has been mounting on President Bashar Assad to stop the bloodshed.

The statement warns Syria will "hit back" at any attempt to cause chaos.