Syrians in the devastated city of Homs have described the harrowing moment that government forces rounded up whole families, divided the children from their mothers and then burned them alive.
The families were reportedly arrested in the Karm el-Zeytoun and Adawiya neighbourhoods of the city.
One Homs resident known as 'Yazn' told the protest network Avaaz how the families were brutally executed in turn:
"They handed them over to the security forces and Shabiha militia who separated the men from the women and children.
"They shot the men and burned the others alive. They slaughtered the children in front of their mothers and then raped the women, some of whom were minors."
The bodies of at least 26 children and 21 women were discovered in the ruins of the city, said to be victims of a massacre by government security forces.
Another activist, Abu Yasser, said: "A number of those killed had their bodies desecrated with sectarian phrases. The regime is desperate to ignite sectarian conflict between Sunnis and Alawites in the city."
Avaaz said: "Meantime citizen journalists report that the army continues to shell the old districts of Homs with mortar and heavy machine-gun fire. Snipers are also everywhere and the streets are mainly empty."
The city has been subject to an assault by the Syrian army for weeks, and attacks have continued even after opposition forces withdrew under pressure from intense shelling.
Avaaz also said that increased mortar attacks in the city of Idlib were driving civilians into the town of Hama, the site of a crack down on the regime's opposition in 1982 in which 10,000 people were killed by President Assad's predecessor, his father Hafez Assad.
Annan said that he was "optimistic" following the talks, and that if enacted his "concrete proposals" could lead to a ceasefire.
He added that every Syrian "wants peace".
Critics said that President Assad had rejected all talks with "armed terrorist groups", meaning the increasingly militarised opposition movement, and had given no ground over his own personal hold on power.
Assad said during the talks: "No political dialogue or political activity can succeed while there are armed terrorist groups operating and spreading chaos and instability."
He said that Assad leaving office was a "first condition" of any negotiation.
Large-scale demonstrations against Assad's rule, including some in central Damscus were reported on Sunday evening, after a weekend of violence.
The UN says that at least 7,500 people have been killed since the start of the uprising 12 months ago.
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Syria is an ally of Iran and a peace loving country wants to colonize Iran.
First in line is Syria. The next "Arab Revolution" breaks out in Iran.
There is a lot oil in Iran.
dondon119: Syria is an ally of Iran and a peace loving
You got this all wrong. you're supposed to write that the Israelis are committing atrocities and genocide against the poor, suffering, oppressed, occupied Palestinian Arabs, not the Syrians. Did you get it all mixed up?
Israel_Zwick: You got this all wrong. you're supposed to write that
Again give a run down on all the suicide bombers in the middle east , london, madrid and 9/11 just to balance your one sided post. I am not saying one death is worth more than or less what ever their religeon.
David_Brown1949: Again give a run down on all the suicide bombers
I remember when arafat, the glorious "palestinian" leader and a thief, was squelling about a "massacre" in Jennin, by IDF..untill his squelling turned out to be a lie..Of course most of these forementioned "massacres" are a product of a professional liar, in search of useful, naive idiots.
Alex13: I remember when arafat, the glorious "palestinian" leader and a
What on earth is wrong with some people, advocating that we go and stick our noses again in others business,it seems they have a very short memory, have they forgotten afghanistan, every week this god forsaken place is giving us nightmares,we are feeding half the world do they expect us to wipe their bloody arses as well,every time we stick our noses in other people afairs it come out bloody,with this muslim community we can't do right for doing wrong, and you can bet if it does go wrong we will as per usual get the blame, and for those that do advocate we should help them, then be a good samaritan go over there and show an example.
Upharto: What on earth is wrong with some people, advocating that
Glad to see you don't believe everything you read, people should question more especially when its on HP. I'm sure atrocities have taken place. The only thing we can do is make a movie of it later and say what a shame it is.
lokiesteve: Glad to see you don't believe everything you read, people
Why do you think it should always come down to the UK government to police the whole world, The truth is out there? We are a small island that is amost bankrupt. Why aren't the super rich Saudis doing anything to help them?
Kraptonfactor: Why do you think it should always come down to
excuse me, but its not the UK who polices the entire world, but the USA who does this task,, the UK is there in a minor force, but its BY FAR the USA who goes in with the main force of marines! is the UK still in afghanistan? NO, its the USA who is still there, but thats coming to an end too!
gayandmarried: excuse me, but its not the UK who polices the
My point exactly, we have to put our own house in order before we go bludering into the arguments between countries that have nothing whatsoever to do with us.
Kraptonfactor: My point exactly, we have to put our own house
Someone said that people that do this kind of thing are Animals. I beg to differ. They are much worse. Animals kill mostly for food or when they are being threatened. They do not kill because of hate for another animal.
Bentch: Someone said that people that do this kind of thing
Well said Bentch, thank you. I just hope that justice catches up with these people sooner, rather than later. Another example of an Islamic Government in action is it ?.
2ndcornets: Well said Bentch, thank you. I just hope that justice
Members of the opposition?? who carry rocket launchers,ak47,s,detanators etc. Our media calls them activists,we are supposed to believe a few hundred armed men as to millions of Syrians,anyone ever wonder why their are no reports or stories from the rest of Syria,its because their is nothing happening,no uprising,no anti government protests,nothing. These mercenaries are killing innocent civilians and i hope the Syrian government stops them before they carry out more massacres.
khal32: Members of the opposition?? who carry rocket launchers,ak47,s,detanators etc. Our
Afternnoon Mr Blair. My kids are fine,thank you for asking.
Have an idea,why don,t you put your combats on and go and help the poor activists or rebels,then report back,that,s if they haven,t killed you
khal32: Afternnoon Mr Blair. My kids are fine,thank you for asking.
YET ANOTHER REASON TO GET OF OIL! an old outdated fuel that our grandfathers used. CLEAN RENEWABLE NON PETROLIUM PRODUCTS! every evil in the world IS brought on BY OIL!
ken607: YET ANOTHER REASON TO GET OF OIL! an old outdated
high speed rail. and planes are run of a type of kerosine not gasoline. and i dont fly. for many reasons. rail is safer, less maintanence. and cant be flown into buildings.the oil times are coming to an end.
ken607: high speed rail. and planes are run of a type
branson is working on a plane that runs on a bio diesel mix even now,, and in the USA we have cars that run on natural gas,, which is VERY plentiful around the planet
gayandmarried: branson is working on a plane that runs on a
Actually every evil in the world is brought about by religion. Oil is a necessity, however undesirable. Twits that spout religion are not. Shoot a priest/rabbi/mullah/etc. save a child :)
Timbones: Actually every evil in the world is brought about by
if this were my child NOTHING would stop me from getting every person in that govt,that i could, by ANY MEANS. this isnt a leadership its a cult. and why are we not helping these people yet? anyone helping this countries leaders should be held to the same punishment! DEATH.
ken607: if this were my child NOTHING would stop me from
We're not helping because it wouldn't be appreciated, we weren't asked by a legitimate opposition and because the stories coming out of Syria are largely unsubstantiated. Pictures if dead people, burned children and stories of rape and pillage are a standard propoganda tool. Especially in the Middle East where if the opposition got in tomorrow THEY would be the ones raping and burning!
Timbones: We're not helping because it wouldn't be appreciated, we weren't
sure it would be. we are a humanitarian nation even tho the gop have tried to end that. muslims in general like us, but like every religeon we have our extremeists. i remember rhuanda and the bodies floating down the river will never leave my mind and ANYWHERE this occurs it should be squashed by our might. it is the right thing to do. the truth is most call it propoghanda to get away with it. atleast for a while but truth cant be stifled for long.
ken607: sure it would be. we are a humanitarian nation even
Of course Israel has never been attacked by anyone at all. No one is firing rockets into Israel every day.No one has ever stated that Israel must be obliterated, and the holocaust never happened. Israel on the other hand deliberately caused the overthrow of an Egyptian president who was friendly towards them. The Israelis have the might to take on China and Russia. As usual, when all else fails blame the Israelis.
katertaif: Of course Israel has never been attacked by anyone at
Of course the Syrian government has not been attacked at all. No one is firing rockets at the syrian government everyday.and israel is showing support for the syrian rebels who are not likely to reckognise israel in the first place
jofreezy: Of course the Syrian government has not been attacked at
Type in 'google':
"Israeli sniper shoots unarmed protester in Nabi Saleh"
or
"Children being hunted by Israeli snipers in Rafah"
or
"16-year old boy shot dead by Israeli snipers"
or
"The methodical shooting of boys at work in Gaza by snipers of the Israeli Occupation Force"
or
"Palestinian Children Murdered by IDF Snipers"
or
"One Shot, 2 Kills - Israeli Snipers Celebrate Shooting Pregnant Palestinian Women"
(Two t-shirts:
Blue: Pregnant Palestinian woman with a sniper crosshair on her belly, under it: 1 shoot 2 kills,
White: Palestinian child and slogan: "The smaller, the harder" (harder to hit) )
dondon119: Type in 'google': "Israeli sniper shoots unarmed protester in Nabi
SHE IS 100% RIGHT, WINCANTON; THIS IS A KNOWN FACT. If the U.S. was so worried about human rights violations, they need to look no further than Saudi Arabia. the reason the U.S. does not sanction against Saudi Arabia, is because we want to have access and control over petroleum markets. So the truth is that the U.S. cares much more about power and control, than they ever will about human rights, EVEN IN THIS COUNTRY! Wake up dude and do more reading outside the box.
karim1: SHE IS 100% RIGHT, WINCANTON; THIS IS A KNOWN FACT.
these are horrific times
only in america can we write fake books about it and make millions selling it to the public to make fake movies for ppriviledged few and think this is OK
in the words of babes HOW SAD!!!
31nikita: these are horrific times only in america can we write
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Huffington Post UK Michael Rundle
First Posted: 12/03/2012 17:43 Updated: 13/03/2012 08:06