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11 Dead as Syria Shells Homs

'Clear escalation' since UN pullout, say activists

By Polly Davis Doig,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 17, 2012 9:01 AM CDT

(Newser) – A day after the UN abandoned its mission in Syria, Bashar al-Assad's troops are turning up the heat in Homs, riddling the city with shelling that activists say has killed at least 11 so far. "Around 85% of Homs is now under shelling or bombardment with mortar rounds and heavy machine guns," an opposition leader tells Reuters. "Dozens of wounded are without treatment because all the hospitals have fallen under the control of (the militia). The dead are the lucky ones."

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Local Coordination Committees is urging the UN to intervene, reports the AP, calling for the evacuation of more than 1,000 families it claims are in mortal danger. "Since the observers stopped working yesterday we have seen a clear escalation," another activist says.

This image made from amateur video released Sunday, June 17, 2012, purports to show smoke rising from buildings in Homs, Syria.
This image made from amateur video released Sunday, June 17, 2012, purports to show smoke rising from buildings in Homs, Syria.   (AP Photo/Ugarit News via AP video)
This image made from amateur video on Sunday, June 17, 2012, purports to show smoke rising from buildings in Homs province, Syria.
This image made from amateur video on Sunday, June 17, 2012, purports to show smoke rising from buildings in Homs province, Syria.   (AP Photo/Shaam News Network via AP video)
This image made from amateur video on Saturday, June 16, 2012, purports to show smoke rising from buildings at Hamidiyeh neighborhood in Homs, Syria.
This image made from amateur video on Saturday, June 16, 2012, purports to show smoke rising from buildings at Hamidiyeh neighborhood in Homs, Syria.   (AP Photo/Shaam News Network via AP video)
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.
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.   (HONS)
In this Friday, June 15, 2012 photo, Syrians chant slogans during a demonstration at Saraqeb town in Idlib, north Syria.
In this Friday, June 15, 2012 photo, Syrians chant slogans during a demonstration at Saraqeb town in Idlib, north Syria.   (Fadi Zaidan)
FILE - In this Sunday, May 20, 2012 file photo, Norwegian Maj. Gen. Robert Mood, head of the U.N. observer team in Syria, stands near a U.N. observers car in Zabadani neighborhood in Damascus, Syria. U.N. observers in Syria suspended their activities and patrols Saturday, June 16,...
FILE - In this Sunday, May 20, 2012 file photo, Norwegian Maj. Gen. Robert Mood, head of the U.N. observer team in Syria, stands near a U.N. observers car in Zabadani neighborhood in Damascus, Syria....   (Muzaffar Salman)
U.N. observers welcome their comrades upon their return from al-Haffa, in northern Syria, to Damascus, Syria, on Saturday, June 16, 2012. U.N. observers in Syria suspended their activities and patrols Saturday because of escalating violence in the country, the head of the mission said, the strongest sign yet...
U.N. observers welcome their comrades upon their return from al-Haffa, in northern Syria, to Damascus, Syria, on Saturday, June 16, 2012. U.N. observers in Syria suspended their activities and patrols...   (Bassem Tellawi)
UN observers welcome their comrades upon their return from al-Haffa, in northern Syria, to Damascus, Syria on Saturday, June  16, 2012. U.N. Observers in Syria suspended their activities and patrols Saturday because of escalating violence in the country, the head of the mission said, the strongest sign yet that...
UN observers welcome their comrades upon their return from al-Haffa, in northern Syria, to Damascus, Syria on Saturday, June 16, 2012. U.N. Observers in Syria suspended their activities and patrols Saturday...   (Bassem Tellawi)
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A newly uploaded video purports to show Assad troops beating two women in Homs. It's not clear when the video was taken.   (2tVHMbfOY_E)

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 10 comments
right2dave
Jun 17, 2012 7:57 PM CDT
It may take time but Assad's own people will finish this story.
rahgoo
Jun 17, 2012 10:36 AM CDT
  Reports by McCain of Sunni women being raped by the soldiers of Assad must be verified before military action by the U.S. is taken. Photographs of the rapists must be sent to Washington, punishment of these perverts will follow.
n230099
Jun 17, 2012 9:50 AM CDT
"This image made from amateur video ...purports to show smoke rising from buildings in Homs, Syria." "Purports"....very important to remember. This whole thing is being pumped up by the mongers that want more war. This is an 'A-rab' issue.  What's really happening there is what someone wants you to believe is.  I'm sure it's not good but they've lived like this for 100s of years.  Leave it to them.
 

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