Syrian troops shell central city of Homs
By BASSEM MROUE, Associated Press
Jun 17, 2012 5:20 AM CDT
In this citizen journalism image taken on Friday, June 15, 2012 and provided by Edlib News Network ENN, Syrians chant slogans during a demonstration in Idlib province, northern Syria. (AP Photo/Edlib News Network ENN) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT,...   (Associated Press)

Activists say Syrian troops have intensified their shelling of rebel-held neighborhoods in the central city of Homs as living conditions there deteriorate further.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Local Coordination Committees say the shelling killed at least one person on Sunday.

Activists say the city's besieged rebel-held areas have been under intense shelling and ground attacks for a week. The Observatory urged the U.N. to intervene and evacuate more than 1,000 Homs families, including women and children. It says their lives are in danger.

The latest shelling comes a day after U.N. observers suspended their patrols in Syria due to a recent spike in violence.

Activist say more than 14,000 people have been killed since the crisis in Syria began in March last year.

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