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Syria forces in Hama push as crackdown continues Syria forces in Hama push as crackdown continues
(about 2 hours later)
Syrian security forces have continued their siege of the central city of Hama as they maintain an offensive in which scores of people have died.Syrian security forces have continued their siege of the central city of Hama as they maintain an offensive in which scores of people have died.
Residents told the BBC that many people were fleeing to nearby villages, fearing a full-scale assault.Residents told the BBC that many people were fleeing to nearby villages, fearing a full-scale assault.
The attack on Hama is part of a government crackdown on dissent in cities and towns that began on Sunday. The government does not control Hama, and its attack on the city is part of a nationwide crackdown on dissent that began on Sunday.
The UN Security Council has resumed discussions on the crisis but diplomats say a strong resolution is unlikely. The UN Security Council has resumed discussions on the crisis.
International pressure has been mounting on the Syrian government to call off its offensive against Hama. International pressure has been mounting on the Syrian government to call off its offensive against Hama. However diplomats say a strong resolution is unlikely.
Russia and other nations have resisted agreeing to a resolution backed by European nations condemning the violence, but after the weekend's violence they have indicated they could back a lesser statement. Russia and other nations have resisted agreeing to a draft backed by European nations condemning the violence, but after the weekend's violence they have indicated they 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.
In Washington, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met Syrian dissidents, who pressed her to call on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down immediately.In Washington, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met Syrian dissidents, who pressed her to call on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down immediately.
Mrs Clinton "expressed her admiration for the courage of the brave Syrian people who continue to defy the government's brutality in order to express their universal rights", a state department spokesman said.Mrs Clinton "expressed her admiration for the courage of the brave Syrian people who continue to defy the government's brutality in order to express their universal rights", a state department spokesman said.
After months of paralysis the Security Council looks set to speak on Syria.
European member states have so far failed to win support for a draft resolution condemning the violence against peaceful protesters.
That was even though - unlike with Libya - the one on Syria did not call for sanctions, a referral to the International Criminal Court or a military intervention.
Yet it is precisely because of Libya that five Council members - Brazil, India, South Africa, Russia and China - have refused to touch Syria.
They say Nato turned a UN mandate to protect Libyan civilians into a pretext for regime change, and fear the same could happen with any resolution on Syria.
But the mood has shifted since the "Ramadan Massacre" in Hama at the weekend. "It's less tense around the table" said one ambassador, "we're all speaking the same language."
Only to a degree though. The apparent convergence in views has yet to translate into a common resolution or statement.
She also told the activists that she had "confidence in the Syrian people's ability to chart a new course for Syria", he added.She also told the activists that she had "confidence in the Syrian people's ability to chart a new course for Syria", he added.
Human rights groups say some 140 people have been killed by the authorities since Sunday, most of them in Hama. More than 1,600 civilians are believed to have been killed since protests began in mid-March.Human rights groups say some 140 people have been killed by the authorities since Sunday, most of them in Hama. More than 1,600 civilians are believed to have been killed since protests began in mid-March.
President Bashar al-Assad's government has promised reforms but says citizens and security forces personnel are being attacked by "armed gangs" backed by unspecified foreign powers. President Assad's government has promised reforms but says citizens and security forces personnel 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 pushed into Hama earlier on Tuesday, residents said, but held off advancing into the city's centre.Syrian troops pushed into Hama earlier on Tuesday, residents said, but held off advancing into the city's centre.
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 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.
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.
  • Security forces reportedly used tear gas against protesters in the Medan area of Damascus.
  • 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.
'Totally unacceptable''Totally unacceptable'
European members of the UN Security Council circulated a revised draft resolution on Syria but Russian and Indian diplomats said it differed little from the draft discussed on Monday. European members of the UN Security Council circulated a revised draft resolution on Syria on Tuesday but Russian and Indian diplomats said it differed little from the draft discussed on Monday.
"There has been no change to the text which was on the table, there has been some technical update," Indian envoy Hardeen Singh Puri was quoted as saying by AFP news agency.
Some council members including Russia, China, India and Brazil have been opposed to a draft resolution condemning Damascus.Some council members including Russia, China, India and Brazil have been opposed to a draft resolution condemning Damascus.
But the weekend's violence has led to wider acceptance that the UN Security Council must act.But the weekend's violence has led to wider acceptance that the UN Security Council must act.
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.
As the Council met again on Tuesday, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemned the Syrian president.As the Council met again on Tuesday, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemned the Syrian president.
"This is a totally unacceptable situation," Mr Ban said."This is a totally unacceptable situation," Mr Ban said.
"He must be aware that under international humanitarian law, this is accountable. I believe that he lost all sense of humanity," Mr Ban said."He must be aware that under international humanitarian law, this is accountable. I believe that he lost all sense of humanity," Mr Ban said.
"He must address this issue, listening to the calls of the international community and more importantly, listening to the aspirations and genuine wishes of his people," Mr Ban was quoted by AFP as saying. "He must address this issue, listening to the calls of the international community and more importantly, listening to the aspirations and genuine wishes of his people," Mr Ban was quoted by AFP news agency as saying.
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