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Syria forces in Hama push as crackdown continues Syria forces in Hama push as crackdown continues
(40 minutes later)
Syrian forces are pushing towards the centre of the city of Hama as they continue an offensive in which scores of people have died.Syrian forces are pushing towards the centre of the city of Hama as they continue an offensive in which scores of people have died.
Residents told the BBC many people were fleeing to nearby villages, believing the army would gain full control.Residents told the BBC many people were fleeing to nearby villages, believing the army would gain full control.
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.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 has resumed discussions on the crisis.
Russia has until now resisted agreeing to a resolution condemning the violence, but has indicated that it could 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 Syrian officials targeted by European Union asset freezes and travel bans, the EU said on Tuesday.Syrian Defence Minister Ali Habib was among five Syrian officials 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.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.
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.
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.
President Bashar al-Assad's government has promised reforms but says citizens and its troops are being attacked by "armed gangs" backed by unspecified foreign powers.President Bashar al-Assad's 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.
'Guns and knives''Guns and knives'
Syrian troops took up new positions towards the centre of Hama on Tuesday, residents said.Syrian troops took up new positions towards the centre of Hama on Tuesday, residents said.
Their assault on the city resumed following evening prayers on Monday, with targets including a hospital and residential areas.Their assault on the city resumed following evening prayers on Monday, with targets including a hospital and residential areas.
Hama-based activist Omar Hamawi told the Associated Press 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.Hama-based activist Omar Hamawi told the Associated Press 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.
He added that troops were also reinforced on the eastern side of the city around the Hama Central Prison, an overcrowded jail.He added that troops were also reinforced on the eastern side of the city around the Hama Central Prison, an overcrowded jail.
Mobile phone footage purporting to show tanks firing in Hama on Monday was posted on social media websites.Mobile phone footage purporting to show tanks firing in Hama on Monday was posted on social media websites.
But Syrian state television has been showing its own footage, apparently also shot on mobile phones, saying it was taken in Hama on Sunday.But Syrian state television has been showing its own footage, apparently also shot on mobile phones, saying it was taken in Hama on Sunday.
It shows some anti-government protesters carrying shotguns, sticks, and knives, and one man wearing an ammunition vest and carrying an AK-47 rifle.It shows some anti-government protesters carrying shotguns, sticks, and knives, and one man wearing an ammunition vest and carrying an AK-47 rifle.
Later, it reported that a group of "saboteurs" had stormed the main courthouse in Hama and set fire to much of the building.Later, it reported that a group of "saboteurs" had stormed the main courthouse in Hama and set fire to much of the building.
But Mr Hamawi told AP that a shell fired from a government tank had caused the fire.But Mr Hamawi told AP that a shell fired from a government tank had caused the fire.
The head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Rami Abdel Rahman, said 24 people were killed across Syria on Monday, including 10 in Hama.The head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Rami Abdel Rahman, said 24 people were killed across Syria on Monday, including 10 in Hama.
Six died in the Damascus suburb of Erbin and three in the central province of Homs.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 Muadhamiya, near Damascus, the group said.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 Muadhamiya, near Damascus, the group said.
In other developments:In other developments:
  • 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-Zour, 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-Zour, another rallying point for protesters. Residents reportedly said 29 people had been killed in a weekend assault on the town.
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.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.
The government fears the gatherings could then turn into large protests, observers say.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.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'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 permanent representative 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 permanent representative 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 envoy Hardeep Singh Puri said he detected "a certain convergence of thinking... about the escalating violence".Despite the differences, India's UN envoy 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 President 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.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