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Syria rebels leave besieged Baba Amr district of Homs | Syria rebels leave besieged Baba Amr district of Homs |
(40 minutes later) | |
The Syrian rebel force fighting government troops in the besieged city of Homs says most of its fighters have left the Baba Amr district in a "tactical" withdrawal. | The Syrian rebel force fighting government troops in the besieged city of Homs says most of its fighters have left the Baba Amr district in a "tactical" withdrawal. |
The Free Syrian Army (FSA) said it was pulling out of Baba Amr to spare the lives of the 4,000 civilians who were refusing to leave their homes. | The Free Syrian Army (FSA) said it was pulling out of Baba Amr to spare the lives of the 4,000 civilians who were refusing to leave their homes. |
Baba Amr has been under heavy bombardment for nearly a month. | Baba Amr has been under heavy bombardment for nearly a month. |
Syrian government forces say they now have full control of the district. | Syrian government forces say they now have full control of the district. |
The head of the FSA, Col Riyad al-Assad, said government troops had already moved in and were combing the area. | The head of the FSA, Col Riyad al-Assad, said government troops had already moved in and were combing the area. |
A network of activists, the Local Co-ordination Committees (LCC), said the number of people killed on Thursday had risen to 26. At least 17 people had died in Homs, the LCC said. | |
The Syrian government has said it is fighting armed gangs and terrorists since the uprising began 11 months ago. In all, at least 7,500 people have died, the UN estimates. | |
Appeal to Red Cross | Appeal to Red Cross |
The BBC's Jim Muir, in neighbouring Lebanon, says the FSA's withdrawal was obviously by agreement between the two sides, as has happened elsewhere in Syria, to avoid a final showdown. | |
A few fighters remained behind in Baba Amr to cover the retreat, the FSA said. | A few fighters remained behind in Baba Amr to cover the retreat, the FSA said. |
A statement posted online in the name of the Baba Amr brigade of the FSA said the fighters did not have enough weapons to defend the civilians. | A statement posted online in the name of the Baba Amr brigade of the FSA said the fighters did not have enough weapons to defend the civilians. |
It calls on the Red Cross to enter Baba Amr immediately to help all civilians still there. The number of civilians remaining in Baba Amr, which normally has a population of 100,000, cannot be independently confirmed. | It calls on the Red Cross to enter Baba Amr immediately to help all civilians still there. The number of civilians remaining in Baba Amr, which normally has a population of 100,000, cannot be independently confirmed. |
The statement also warns the government forces not to harm civilians, saying the opposition would take severe revenge if they did. | The statement also warns the government forces not to harm civilians, saying the opposition would take severe revenge if they did. |
It has been snowing heavily in Homs, slowing the advance of ground troops which began their offensive on Tuesday, but also worsening conditions for civilians. | It has been snowing heavily in Homs, slowing the advance of ground troops which began their offensive on Tuesday, but also worsening conditions for civilians. |
Many of those still in Baba Amr are without power and running low on basic supplies. | Many of those still in Baba Amr are without power and running low on basic supplies. |
Hundreds of people died during the month-long bombardment, activists say. | Hundreds of people died during the month-long bombardment, activists say. |
The activist Revolutionary Council of Homs said it could no longer reach anyone inside Baba Amr, the Associated Press reported. All satellite signals were jammed, it said. | |
Opposition split | Opposition split |
Meanwhile, the exile political opposition Syrian National Council (SNC) says it has formed a military bureau to co-ordinate the various armed anti-government groups. | Meanwhile, the exile political opposition Syrian National Council (SNC) says it has formed a military bureau to co-ordinate the various armed anti-government groups. |
However, our correspondent says the FSA, which is the main armed group, is refusing to accept the authority of the new bureau - evidence of deep splits within the opposition. | |
Announcing the creation of the new bureau, SNC leader Burhan Ghalioun said the uprising had begun as a non-violent movement, but the council had to "shoulder its responsibilities in light of this new reality". | Announcing the creation of the new bureau, SNC leader Burhan Ghalioun said the uprising had begun as a non-violent movement, but the council had to "shoulder its responsibilities in light of this new reality". |
Mr Ghalioun said the bureau would function like a defence ministry and would be staffed by soldiers from the FSA as well as civilians. | |
In other developments: | |
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Meanwhile, the UN's rights council has passed a resolution condemning "systematic violations" against civilians and calling for aid agencies to be allowed access. | Meanwhile, the UN's rights council has passed a resolution condemning "systematic violations" against civilians and calling for aid agencies to be allowed access. |
China and Russia, which both vetoed two UN Security Council resolutions in Syria, voted against the proposal, as did Cuba. | China and Russia, which both vetoed two UN Security Council resolutions in Syria, voted against the proposal, as did Cuba. |
The vote carries no legal weight, but analysts say it may embolden diplomats to take a tougher line in Security Council debates. | The vote carries no legal weight, but analysts say it may embolden diplomats to take a tougher line in Security Council debates. |