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Syria unrest: 'Shelling and raids in Homs kills three' Syria unrest: 'Shelling and raids in Homs kills three'
(40 minutes later)
Syrian tanks shelled a historic district in the city of Homs, killing at least three people, activists said.Syrian tanks shelled a historic district in the city of Homs, killing at least three people, activists said.
The violence came just a day after one of the bloodiest days of the seven-month-old uprising, during which 40 people died after Friday protests. The violence came a day after one of the bloodiest days of the seven-month-old uprising, during which 40 people died after Friday protests.
More than 3,000 people have died in the unrest since protests calling for the government of President Bashar al-Assad to step down broke out in March.More than 3,000 people have died in the unrest since protests calling for the government of President Bashar al-Assad to step down broke out in March.
The UN secretary-general made a fresh call called for the repression to end. Mr Assad warned of an "earthquake" if the West intervenes in his country.
Ambush 'Faultline'
In an interview with the UK's Sunday Telegraph newspaper, Mr Assad said involvement risked transforming Syria into "another Afghanistan, or tens of Afghanistans".
"Syria is the hub now in this region. It is the faultline, and if you play with the ground you will cause an earthquake," he is reported as telling the London-based newspaper.
"Any problem in Syria will burn the whole region. If the plan is to divide Syria, that is to divide the whole region."
His comments came after the UN secretary-general made a fresh call called for the repression to end.
Ban Ki-moon said Mr Assad must respond to demands for change with serious reform, "not repression and violence", and called for an immediate halt to military operations, his spokesman said.Ban Ki-moon said Mr Assad must respond to demands for change with serious reform, "not repression and violence", and called for an immediate halt to military operations, his spokesman said.
His calls echo those of members of the Arab League who on Friday sent an "urgent message" to the Syrian government, denouncing "the continued killings of civilians" taking part in protests.His calls echo those of members of the Arab League who on Friday sent an "urgent message" to the Syrian government, denouncing "the continued killings of civilians" taking part in protests.
On Saturday, two of the country's main activist groups, the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Local Co-ordinating Committees, said shells slammed into the Baba Amr district of Homs.On Saturday, two of the country's main activist groups, the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Local Co-ordinating Committees, said shells slammed into the Baba Amr district of Homs.
According to Reuters, one person was shot dead by a sniper and two were killed during machinegun fire between Mr Assad's forces and defectors in the city.According to Reuters, one person was shot dead by a sniper and two were killed during machinegun fire between Mr Assad's forces and defectors in the city.
Raids and arrests also were reported around the eastern city of Deir el-Zour, the Associated Press reports.Raids and arrests also were reported around the eastern city of Deir el-Zour, the Associated Press reports.
In another incident near Homs, some 20 Syrian soldiers were killed and 53 wounded in clashes with presumed army deserters, according to Agence France Presse.In another incident near Homs, some 20 Syrian soldiers were killed and 53 wounded in clashes with presumed army deserters, according to Agence France Presse.
In a separate incident, 10 security agents and a deserter were killed in a bus ambush near the Turkish border, activists said, AFP reports.In a separate incident, 10 security agents and a deserter were killed in a bus ambush near the Turkish border, activists said, AFP reports.
The Observatory said the bus was transporting security agents between the villages of Al-Habit and Kafrnabuda in Idlib province when it was ambushed "by armed men, probably deserters".The Observatory said the bus was transporting security agents between the villages of Al-Habit and Kafrnabuda in Idlib province when it was ambushed "by armed men, probably deserters".
On Friday, the Arab League has sent an "urgent message" to the Syrian government, denouncing "the continued killings of civilians" taking part in protests.On Friday, the Arab League has sent an "urgent message" to the Syrian government, denouncing "the continued killings of civilians" taking part in protests.
The League's ministerial committee on the Syrian crisis also urged Damascus to "take the necessary measures" to protect civilians.The League's ministerial committee on the Syrian crisis also urged Damascus to "take the necessary measures" to protect civilians.
Are you in Syria? Do you have friends or family there? Please contact the BBC using the form below:Are you in Syria? Do you have friends or family there? Please contact the BBC using the form below: