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Syria: Homs under 'heaviest' shelling yet Syria: Homs under 'heaviest' shelling yet
(40 minutes later)
The Syrian city of Homs has come under renewed bombardment for the fifth day running - the heaviest so far, residents have told the BBC.The Syrian city of Homs has come under renewed bombardment for the fifth day running - the heaviest so far, residents have told the BBC.
Activists say more than 40 people have died as a result of the new shelling, but this is difficult to verify.Activists say more than 40 people have died as a result of the new shelling, but this is difficult to verify.
The attacks come a day after President Bashar al-Assad promised the Russian foreign minister in Damascus that he would end violence and start dialogue.The attacks come a day after President Bashar al-Assad promised the Russian foreign minister in Damascus that he would end violence and start dialogue.
Russia and China blocked a UN Security Council resolution last week.Russia and China blocked a UN Security Council resolution last week.
The BBC's Paul Wood, who is now on the outskirts of Homs with rebel fighters, says that his contacts inside the city describe the impacts as falling constantly - and it it too dangerous for them to go out and investigate the number of dead and injured.The BBC's Paul Wood, who is now on the outskirts of Homs with rebel fighters, says that his contacts inside the city describe the impacts as falling constantly - and it it too dangerous for them to go out and investigate the number of dead and injured.
People in Homs fear a ground assault, he says.People in Homs fear a ground assault, he says.
A resident of the Baba Amr area of Homs, Omar, told the BBC that the rocket and mortar attacks were indiscriminate.A resident of the Baba Amr area of Homs, Omar, told the BBC that the rocket and mortar attacks were indiscriminate.
"Every house here in Baba Amr is a target," he said. "You have to be lucky to survive.""Every house here in Baba Amr is a target," he said. "You have to be lucky to survive."
He said a baby was killed when a rocket landed on a nearby house.He said a baby was killed when a rocket landed on a nearby house.
I'm a few miles outside the city of Homs - we managed to slip out last night during a pause in the bombardment.I'm a few miles outside the city of Homs - we managed to slip out last night during a pause in the bombardment.
We've just managed to get through to people inside, the people in whose house we were staying. They says that this morning there began the heaviest bombardment that they have seen yet in three or four days of shelling and mortar attacks.We've just managed to get through to people inside, the people in whose house we were staying. They says that this morning there began the heaviest bombardment that they have seen yet in three or four days of shelling and mortar attacks.
There are a lot of wild rumours flying around about casualties. People are saying there are already more dead in that particular part of Homs than they saw yesterday or the day before.There are a lot of wild rumours flying around about casualties. People are saying there are already more dead in that particular part of Homs than they saw yesterday or the day before.
There's no way to verify that but they say that the shell and mortar impacts are coming more rapidly than at any time before.There's no way to verify that but they say that the shell and mortar impacts are coming more rapidly than at any time before.
They are also afraid that ground troops are going to come in at some point. On Tuesday, there were tanks about 800m away from the particular part of Homs we were in, not moving forward but using their heavy machine guns to pour fire in the direction of people who support the uprising.They are also afraid that ground troops are going to come in at some point. On Tuesday, there were tanks about 800m away from the particular part of Homs we were in, not moving forward but using their heavy machine guns to pour fire in the direction of people who support the uprising.
We know very, very little, simply that the bombardment has resumed and it seems to be even heavier than any of the preceding days.We know very, very little, simply that the bombardment has resumed and it seems to be even heavier than any of the preceding days.
The BBC's Jim Muir in neighbouring Lebanon says Wednesday's death figures must be treated with cautionThe BBC's Jim Muir in neighbouring Lebanon says Wednesday's death figures must be treated with caution
There are reports that 18 premature babies died after their incubators failed as a result of power cuts. State TV denied the reports and said Homs hospitals were operating normally.There are reports that 18 premature babies died after their incubators failed as a result of power cuts. State TV denied the reports and said Homs hospitals were operating normally.
Nineteen people from three families in Homs were killed by pro-government militiamen, known as "shabiha", who had burst into their homes, reports say.Nineteen people from three families in Homs were killed by pro-government militiamen, known as "shabiha", who had burst into their homes, reports say.
State TV reported that "armed terrorists" had attacked an oil refinery in the city. The government blames the violence of foreign-backed groups.State TV reported that "armed terrorists" had attacked an oil refinery in the city. The government blames the violence of foreign-backed groups.
Russian visitRussian visit
On Tuesday the Syrian president told visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that he was prepared to co-operate with plans for stability.On Tuesday the Syrian president told visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that he was prepared to co-operate with plans for stability.
Following the talks in Damascus, Mr Lavrov called for a dialogue between the Syrian government and opposition. Following the talks in Damascus, Mr Lavrov called for dialogue between the Syrian government and opposition.
Speaking in Moscow on Wednesday, he said countries with influence over the opposition should press them to start talks. Speaking in Moscow on Wednesday, he said countries with influence over Mr Assad's opponents should press them to start talks. Opposition leaders have ruled out talks and insist the president must quit.
He added that Mr Assad had asked his Vice-President, Farouk al-Sharra, to start dialogue. Also on Wednesday, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin reaffirmed Russia's condemnation of "violence from whichever side it comes" and said Syrians should "decide their own fate independently".
Syrian opposition leaders have ruled this out, and say they will accept nothing less that the president's departure. Russia is a major arms supplier to Damascus and has its only Mediterranean naval base in Syria.
Last week Russia and China vetoed a UN resolution that backed a new Arab League plan for Syria.Last week Russia and China vetoed a UN resolution that backed a new Arab League plan for Syria.
The plan involved Mr Assad handing power to a deputy who would oversee a transition of power. Moscow said the draft would have forced regime change on Syria.The plan involved Mr Assad handing power to a deputy who would oversee a transition of power. Moscow said the draft would have forced regime change on Syria.
Since then, Syria has become increasingly isolated.Since then, Syria has become increasingly isolated.
On Tuesday, Gulf Arab states said they would expel Syrian ambassadors and recall their envoys from Damascus.On Tuesday, Gulf Arab states said they would expel Syrian ambassadors and recall their envoys from Damascus.
The US closed its embassy in Syria on Monday, and several European countries have recalled their ambassadors.The US closed its embassy in Syria on Monday, and several European countries have recalled their ambassadors.
In Homs, hundreds of people are reported to have died in heavy shelling since Friday.In Homs, hundreds of people are reported to have died in heavy shelling since Friday.
The government insists it will continue its offensive until "order" is restored in the city.The government insists it will continue its offensive until "order" is restored in the city.
Continuing violence against protesters has also been reported in other parts of Syria.Continuing violence against protesters has also been reported in other parts of Syria.
Activists said tanks bombarded the town of Zabadani, about 30kms (19 miles) north-west of Damascus, on Tuesday.Activists said tanks bombarded the town of Zabadani, about 30kms (19 miles) north-west of Damascus, on Tuesday.
Witnesses also reported clashes between government and rebel forces in Hama, another stronghold of anti-Assad sentiment.Witnesses also reported clashes between government and rebel forces in Hama, another stronghold of anti-Assad sentiment.
Syria heavily restricts access to foreign journalists and the reports cannot be independently verified.Syria heavily restricts access to foreign journalists and the reports cannot be independently verified.
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.President Assad's government says at least 2,000 members of the security forces have been killed.
Are you in Syria? Do you have friends or family there? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. At no time should you endanger yourself or others or take any unnecessary risks.Are you in Syria? Do you have friends or family there? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. At no time should you endanger yourself or others or take any unnecessary risks.
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