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Syria crisis: Army steps up shelling in Homs Syria crisis: Army steps up shelling in Homs
(40 minutes later)
Heavy artillery fire has been rocking Homs, as Syrian troops step up an assault on the restive city.Heavy artillery fire has been rocking Homs, as Syrian troops step up an assault on the restive city.
A BBC correspondent there says attacks resumed early on Monday with almost constant explosions.A BBC correspondent there says attacks resumed early on Monday with almost constant explosions.
Rebels say a clinic is being targeted in one of the fiercest assaults on the city in the 11-month uprising.Rebels say a clinic is being targeted in one of the fiercest assaults on the city in the 11-month uprising.
Meanwhile, Russia and China defended their veto of a UN draft resolution criticising Syria - a move that angered opponents of President Bashar al-Assad.Meanwhile, Russia and China defended their veto of a UN draft resolution criticising Syria - a move that angered opponents of President Bashar al-Assad.
The BBC's Paul Wood, who managed to get into Homs, says shelling resumed there at 06:00 (04:00 GMT).The BBC's Paul Wood, who managed to get into Homs, says shelling resumed there at 06:00 (04:00 GMT).
Some rebels fighters are firing automatic weapons in return, in what our correspondent calls a futile gesture. Some rebels fighters have been firing automatic weapons in return, in what our correspondent calls a futile gesture.
It was a quiet night until just after dawn, when we started hearing mortars falling - about one every 30 seconds. Some heavy artillery has also been used.It was a quiet night until just after dawn, when we started hearing mortars falling - about one every 30 seconds. Some heavy artillery has also been used.
Some people have now got out onto their balconies to shout, "God is great!" We also had quite a lot of small-arms fire from rebels fighters. That is a pretty futile gesture. It is Kalashnikovs against big guns.Some people have now got out onto their balconies to shout, "God is great!" We also had quite a lot of small-arms fire from rebels fighters. That is a pretty futile gesture. It is Kalashnikovs against big guns.
Most people have been getting inside, hiding in the stairwells to put as much concrete between them and the street as possible.Most people have been getting inside, hiding in the stairwells to put as much concrete between them and the street as possible.
We're hearing a report this morning from an eyewitness saying the government troops have been moving up to the outskirt of this part of Homs - not armoured vehicles or tanks, but infantry troops.We're hearing a report this morning from an eyewitness saying the government troops have been moving up to the outskirt of this part of Homs - not armoured vehicles or tanks, but infantry troops.
They haven't yet gone through the first rebel checkpoint. It is not yet an invasion, but that is what people fear over the next day or so.They haven't yet gone through the first rebel checkpoint. It is not yet an invasion, but that is what people fear over the next day or so.
He says it is impossible to verify claims by the rebels that the shelling has hit a field clinic in the Baba Amr district, causing casualties. The rebels claim that the shelling has hit a field hospital in the Baba Amr district, causing casualties. However, our correspondent says this is impossible to verify.
The facility is treating dozens of people wounded in previous assaults on Homs.The facility is treating dozens of people wounded in previous assaults on Homs.
An anti-government campaigner told the BBC the government was also using helicopters and tanks in the assault.An anti-government campaigner told the BBC the government was also using helicopters and tanks in the assault.
Activists say at least 15 people have been killed so far on Monday.Activists say at least 15 people have been killed so far on Monday.
Our correspondent says the dead are being buried at night for fear of snipers taking aim at mourners. Syrian state TV said "terrorist gangs" had blown up buildings in Homs.
Also on Monday, an explosion hit an oil pipeline in Homs, the state-run Sana news agency reported. Sana blamed "terrorists". The government says it is fighting foreign-backed armed groups. The state-run Sana news agency reported that an oil pipeline in the city had been hit by an explosion on Monday. It also blamed "terrorists".
Thousands of former army soldiers have defected to the rebel side, forming the Free Syrian Army. The government says it is fighting foreign-backed armed groups. Thousands of former army soldiers have defected to the rebel side, forming the Free Syrian Army.
'Travesty''Travesty'
Some residents fear Saturday's veto by China and Russia of a UN draft resolution condemning the crackdown will encourage the government to act without restraint.Some residents fear Saturday's veto by China and Russia of a UN draft resolution condemning the crackdown will encourage the government to act without restraint.
The Syrian National Council, the biggest opposition group, said Russia and China were "responsible for the escalating acts of killing", calling the veto "an irresponsible step that is tantamount to a licence to kill with impunity".The Syrian National Council, the biggest opposition group, said Russia and China were "responsible for the escalating acts of killing", calling the veto "an irresponsible step that is tantamount to a licence to kill with impunity".
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, on Sunday called it a "travesty" and expressed support for the Syrian opposition.US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, on Sunday called it a "travesty" and expressed support for the Syrian opposition.
However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the resolution, drafted by Arab and European countries, would have meant taking sides in a civil war.However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the resolution, drafted by Arab and European countries, would have meant taking sides in a civil war.
Speaking in Bahrain on Monday, he said encouraging "armed extremist groups" would only cause more casualties, and said Moscow supported peaceful dialogue in Syria.Speaking in Bahrain on Monday, he said encouraging "armed extremist groups" would only cause more casualties, and said Moscow supported peaceful dialogue in Syria.
Mr Lavrov is due to travel to Damascus on Tuesday for talks with President Assad.Mr Lavrov is due to travel to Damascus on Tuesday for talks with President Assad.
The Chinese government also defended its veto. It said the draft resolution would only have complicated matters, and said Beijing sought to "avoid the scourge of armed conflict".The Chinese government also defended its veto. It said the draft resolution would only have complicated matters, and said Beijing sought to "avoid the scourge of armed conflict".
Human rights groups and activists say more than 7,000 people have been killed by Syrian security forces since the uprising began last March.Human rights groups and activists say more than 7,000 people have been killed by Syrian security forces since the uprising began last March.
The UN stopped estimating the death toll in Syria after it passed 5,400 in January, saying it was too difficult to confirm.The UN stopped estimating the death toll in Syria after it passed 5,400 in January, saying it was too difficult to confirm.
President Assad's government says at least 2,000 members of the security forces have been killed fighting "armed gangs and terrorists".President Assad's government says at least 2,000 members of the security forces have been killed fighting "armed gangs and terrorists".
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