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Syria crisis: More dead as crackdown continues Syria forces in Hama push as crackdown continues
(about 2 hours later)
There have been fresh outbreaks of violence in Syria as army forces moved against anti-government protesters. Syrian forces are pushing towards the centre of the town of Hama as they continue an offensive in which scores of people have died.
Overnight, six people were killed in the Erbin district of the capital Damascus as they staged protests after prayers on the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Residents told the BBC many people were fleeing to nearby villages, believing the army would gain full control.
Earlier, four were killed in Hama, where scores died on Sunday, one of the bloodiest days of the uprising so far. On Monday, security forces cracked down on protests in towns around Syria, often after prayers on the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
The UN Security Council is set to resume discussions on the crisis.The UN Security Council is set to resume discussions on the crisis.
Russia has until now resisted agreeing to a resolution condemning the violence, but has indicated that it would back a lesser statement. Russia has until now resisted agreeing to a resolution condemning the violence, but has indicated that it could back a lesser statement.
Syrian Defence Minister Ali Habib was among five members of President Bashar al-Assad's government targeted by European Union asset freezes and travel bans, the EU said on Tuesday.
And Italy has recalled its ambassador to Syria for consultations, citing the "horrible repression" of citizens.
Rights groups say around 140 people have been killed by the authorities since Sunday, most of them in Hama.Rights groups say around 140 people have been killed by the authorities since Sunday, most of them in Hama.
The Syrian government has promised reforms but says citizens and its troops are being attacked by "armed gangs" backed by unspecified foreign powers.
Syrians start fasting for the month of Ramadan more concerned and uncertain than ever about what will happen next. Syrians start fasting for the month of Ramadan more concerned and uncertain than ever about what will happen next. 
If the assault on Hama on Sunday was meant to scare protesters off the streets, it has not succeeded.If the assault on Hama on Sunday was meant to scare protesters off the streets, it has not succeeded.
The two sides in this crisis seem to be determined to continue with their strategies; protesters will keep on taking to the streets and the regime will continue to use violence against them.The two sides in this crisis seem to be determined to continue with their strategies; protesters will keep on taking to the streets and the regime will continue to use violence against them.
In the current pattern, it is difficult to imagine any solution unless there is an end to government violence.In the current pattern, it is difficult to imagine any solution unless there is an end to government violence.
The Syrian government has promised reforms but says citizens and its troops are being attacked by "armed gangs" backed by unspecified foreign powers.
International journalists have been denied access to Syria and it is not possible to verify accounts by witnesses and activists.International journalists have been denied access to Syria and it is not possible to verify accounts by witnesses and activists.
Machine guns 'Guns and knives'
In all, 24 people were killed across Syria on Monday, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights chief Rami Abdel Rahman said, according to AFP news agency, though he did not give details of each case. Syrian troops took up new positions towards the centre of Hama on Tuesday, residents said.
Six people were killed in the Erbin district of the capital Damascus early on Tuesday, residents and rights groups said. Their assault on the town resumed following evening prayers on Monday, with targets including a hospital and residential areas.
"Security cars and pick-up trucks with machine guns mounted on their beds entered Erbin around midnight and assembled at the main roundabout before branching out in the streets and firing at neighbourhoods," one resident told Reuters news agency. Hama-based activist Omar Hamawi told the Associated Press news agency that a force consisting of eight tanks and several armoured personnel carriers had taken up positions near homes and buildings in an area known as Kazo Square.
Another activist said tens of people had been wounded. He added that troops were also reinforced on the eastern side of the city around the Hama Central Prison, an overcrowded jail.
Earlier tanks and troops returned to the streets of Hama on Monday, after pulling out following Sunday's violence, said the BBC's Jim Muir in neighbouring Lebanon. Mobile phone footage purporting to show tanks firing in Hama on Monday was posted on social media websites.
At least four people were killed on Monday, witnesses and rights groups said. But Syrian state television has been showing its own footage, apparently also shot on mobile phones, saying it was taken in Hama on Sunday.
Residents said a hospital was among the buildings coming under attack. It shows some anti-government protesters carrying shotguns, sticks, and knives, and one man wearing an ammunition vest and carrying an AK-47 rifle.
There are reports that some families in the city have buried their dead in parks or in the gardens of their own homes because they are afraid to go out. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights chief, Rami Abdel Rahman, said 24 people were killed across Syria on Monday, including 10 in Rama.
Another activist in the city told AFP news agency that 10 tanks were "indiscriminately" shelling the suburb of Dawar Bilal. Six died in the Damascus suburb of Erbin and three in the central province of Homs.
Two people - one a 13-year-old boy - were killed in the eastern town of Albu Kamal, two the coastal city of Latakia and one in Maadamiyah near Damascus, the group said.
In other developments:In other developments:
  • Two people, one a 13-year-old boy, were shot dead by security forces in the eastern town of Albu Kamal, Mr Rahman told AFP. The deaths came as tanks were said to have stormed the town following a two-week siege.
  • Government forces also moved in on Zabadani, near the border with Lebanon, with one report suggesting barricades had been erected to seal the town off
  • Reinforcements were also dispatched to Deir al-Zor, another rallying point for protesters. Residents reportedly said 29 people had been killed in a weekend assault on the town.
  • Government forces moved in on Zabadani, near the border with Lebanon, with one report suggesting barricades had been erected to seal the town off
  • Reinforcements were also dispatched to Deir al-Zor, another rallying point for protesters. Residents reportedly said 29 people had been killed in a weekend assault on the town.
Government attempts to crush continuing protests across Syria have brought strong international condemnation and the UN Security Council is set to meet again on Tuesday to continue discussions on its response to the crisis. The current crackdown appears aimed at preventing protests from growing during Ramadan, when Muslims visit mosques for the special nightly prayers after breaking their dawn-to-dusk fast.
UN response The government fears the gatherings could then turn into large protests, observers say.
The crackdown has brought strong international condemnation and the UN Security Council is set to meet again on Tuesday to continue discussions on its response to the crisis.
Libya 'shadow'
At a closed-door meeting of the council on Monday, a top UN official told delegates that on top of those killed on Sunday, 3,000 people had gone missing and 12,000 been taken prisoner since the anti-regime protests erupted in mid-March, diplomats said.At a closed-door meeting of the council on Monday, a top UN official told delegates that on top of those killed on Sunday, 3,000 people had gone missing and 12,000 been taken prisoner since the anti-regime protests erupted in mid-March, diplomats said.
Some council members including Russia have so far opposed a draft resolution condemning Damascus, proposing instead a less binding statement.Some council members including Russia have so far opposed a draft resolution condemning Damascus, proposing instead a less binding statement.
On Monday Russia's UN envoy Vitaly Churkin explained that stance, reportedly saying: "We are still under the shadow of events in Libya where we found a resolution adopted by the Security Council dealt with very frivolously, and we cannot but keep that in mind as we contemplate what the Security Council can and cannot do on Syria."On Monday Russia's UN envoy Vitaly Churkin explained that stance, reportedly saying: "We are still under the shadow of events in Libya where we found a resolution adopted by the Security Council dealt with very frivolously, and we cannot but keep that in mind as we contemplate what the Security Council can and cannot do on Syria."
Mr Churkin said he would favour a statement, "which would be seen as a strong signal to end violence but also to come to terms politically and to move things forward peacefully in Syria."Mr Churkin said he would favour a statement, "which would be seen as a strong signal to end violence but also to come to terms politically and to move things forward peacefully in Syria."
But US Ambassador Susan Rice told reporters that citing the Libyan situation was "an excuse by those who don't want to confront what's happening in Syria".But US Ambassador Susan Rice told reporters that citing the Libyan situation was "an excuse by those who don't want to confront what's happening in Syria".
Despite the differences, India's UN Ambassador Hardeep Singh Puri said he detected "a certain convergence of thinking... about the escalating violence".Despite the differences, India's UN Ambassador Hardeep Singh Puri said he detected "a certain convergence of thinking... about the escalating violence".
On Monday, the European Union expanded sanctions against Syria, imposing asset freezes and travel bans against five more military and government officials, bringing the total number of individuals targeted to 35, including Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. On Monday, the European Union expanded sanctions against Syria, imposing asset freezes and travel bans against five more military and government officials, bringing the total number of individuals targeted to 35, including President Assad.
As well as Defence Minister Habib, Syria's head of internal security and the head of intelligence in the town of Hama were also targeted, the EU revealed on Tuesday.
Syria's anti-government protests, inspired by events in Tunisia and Egypt, first erupted in mid-March after the arrest of a group of teenagers who spray-painted a revolutionary slogan on a wall. The protests soon spread, and human rights activists and opposition groups say 1,700 people have died in the turmoil, while thousands more have been injured.
Although the arrest of the teenagers in the southern city of Deraa first prompted people to take to the streets, unrest has since spread to other areas, including Hama, Homs, Latakia, Jisr al-Shughour and Baniyas. Demonstrators are demanding greater freedom, an end to corruption, and, increasingly, the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad.
President Assad's government has responded to the protests with overwhelming military force, sending tanks and troops into at least nine towns and cities. In Deraa and Homs - where protests have persisted
Syria's anti-government protests, inspired by events in Tunisia and Egypt, first erupted in mid-March after the arrest of a group of teenagers who spray-painted a revolutionary slogan on a wall. The protests soon spread, and human rights activists and opposition groups say 1,700 people have died in the turmoil, while thousands more have been injured.
Although the arrest of the teenagers in the southern city of Deraa first prompted people to take to the streets, unrest has since spread to other areas, including Hama, Homs, Latakia, Jisr al-Shughour and Baniyas. Demonstrators are demanding greater freedom, an end to corruption, and, increasingly, the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad.
President Assad's government has responded to the protests with overwhelming military force, sending tanks and troops into at least nine towns and cities. In Deraa and Homs - where protests have persisted