The Syrian military tightened its suffocating siege on the city of Hama on Saturday, and activists said security forces killed at least 24 civilians the day before in a nationwide crackdown on anti-government protesters. A Hama resident said tanks shelled the city Friday night, which resulted in several casualties. He said there were reports that at least one of the hospitals in the city had been targeted. Authorities have imposed a media blackout on Hama and the reports could not be immediately confirmed. The resident sneaked out of besieged Hama on Friday to try and get supplies, and spoke to The Associated Press by phone Saturday from the city's outskirts. "I am trying to get back but it's impossible, they've tightened the siege even more, not even an ant can go in or out today," he said.