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Syria unrest: Military 'advancing in Homs' Syria forces assault Baba Amr quarter in besieged Homs
(40 minutes later)
Syrian forces have launched a ground assault on opposition positions in the city of Homs, reports say, after nearly a month of artillery bombardment. The fate of the besieged Baba Amr quarter, in the Syrian city of Homs, remains unclear after government troops launched a ground offensive on rebels.
Security officials said the Baba Amr district would soon be "cleaned", but reports say fighting is continuing. Sources on both sides said government troops tried to advance on several fronts after weeks of heavy shelling.
Some lines of communication with Homs have now been restored but the scale of the operation remains unclear. Syrian officials said their forces were "mopping up" while activists said the attack had been repelled.
Meanwhile, UN humanitarian chief Valerie Amos has said she has been denied entry into Syria. Meanwhile, UN humanitarian chief Valerie Amos says she has been denied entry into Syria.
She had gone to neighbouring Lebanon while she waited for the Syrian government's response to her application, UN diplomats said.
In a statement, Ms Amos said the refusal came "despite my repeated requests to meet Syrian officials at the highest level to discuss the humanitarian situation and the need for unhindered access to the people affected by the violence".In a statement, Ms Amos said the refusal came "despite my repeated requests to meet Syrian officials at the highest level to discuss the humanitarian situation and the need for unhindered access to the people affected by the violence".
New draft She had gone to neighbouring Lebanon while she waited for the Syrian government's response to her application, UN diplomats said.
The US and France are leading efforts to draft a new UN Security Council resolution on the crisis, calling for an end to violence and access for aid. "This shows the regime's utter disregard for its people and leaves it isolated on the international stage," said UK International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell.
The text, which is still in its early stages, focuses on humanitarian aid for Syria, in the hope both China and Russia will back it. Symbolic quarter
They vetoed earlier UN Security Council resolutions in October and February, out of concerns that UN action could trigger Libya-style regime change. Explosions echoed around all parts of Homs as the attack on the Baba Amr quarter got underway.
China indicated it would give its support to steps "creating conditions" for humanitarian aid to be sent. Regime officials in Damascus told reporters that clearing out the rebels would only take a few hours and that it had already become a mopping up operation.
Homs was shelled again on Wednesday, rights groups said, a day after more than 100 people were killed. Power and phone lines to many areas of the city are said to have been cut off. But activist postings on the internet said the Free Syrian Army fighters had repelled repeated attacks by army forces and inflicted heavy losses.
An unnamed security official told AFP news agency that Baba Amr was now "under control", saying troops were searching "every basement and tunnel for arms and terrorists." The government has been reinforcing its troops around Baba Amr for some time.
The Associated Press also quoted an official as saying Baba Amr would be "cleaned" within hours. The BBC's Jim Muir, in neighbouring Lebanon, says reports are circulating that the government has brought up units of the feared Fourth Armoured Division under President Assad's brother Maher.
However, opposition activists said fighting was continuing on the edges of Baba Amr. For both sides, the district has taken on symbolic significance, our correspondent says.
The Farouq Brigade of the Free Syrian Army was trying to hold off the assault led by units of the armoured Fourth Division, which is commanded by Maher al-Assad, the president's brother, activists told Reuters.
Another Syrian activist told the BBC there were about 400 Free Syrian Army rebel fighters in Baba Amr, who "will fight to the end".
But the BBC's Jim Muir, in neighbouring Lebanon, says it remains to be seen whether the latest manoeuvres are the big push into Homs that has been expected.
Meanwhile, France has said it is ready to evacuate two of its citizens trapped in Homs, journalists Edith Bouvier and William Daniels.Meanwhile, France has said it is ready to evacuate two of its citizens trapped in Homs, journalists Edith Bouvier and William Daniels.
"We expect the government in Damascus to provide all the conditions for a safe and rapid evacuation, in particular an immediate ceasefire in Baba Amr," the French foreign ministry said in a statement."We expect the government in Damascus to provide all the conditions for a safe and rapid evacuation, in particular an immediate ceasefire in Baba Amr," the French foreign ministry said in a statement.
A Spanish correspondent Javier Espinosa, is believed to be with them. They were all in a makeshift media centre in Baba Amr when it was shelled last week.A Spanish correspondent Javier Espinosa, is believed to be with them. They were all in a makeshift media centre in Baba Amr when it was shelled last week.
Two of their colleagues were killed, and Ms Bouvier was seriously wounded, along with British photojournalist Paul Conroy.Two of their colleagues were killed, and Ms Bouvier was seriously wounded, along with British photojournalist Paul Conroy.
Mr Conroy was smuggled out of Syria to Lebanon on Tuesday. He is now safe, and UK Prime Minister David Cameron has said he is "being properly looked after".Mr Conroy was smuggled out of Syria to Lebanon on Tuesday. He is now safe, and UK Prime Minister David Cameron has said he is "being properly looked after".
Aid pushAid push
The draft UN Security Council resolution focuses on humanitarian access but also suggests that Mr Assad is responsible for the crisis, Western diplomats say. The US and France are leading efforts to draft a new UN Security Council resolution on the crisis, calling for an end to violence and access for aid.
However, it also suggests that Mr Assad is responsible for the crisis, Western diplomats say.
One diplomat told Reuters the draft had been circulated among "a small circle of like-minded countries".One diplomat told Reuters the draft had been circulated among "a small circle of like-minded countries".
The text, which is still in its early stages, focuses on humanitarian aid for Syria, in the hope both China and Russia will back it.
They vetoed earlier Security Council resolutions in October and February, out of concerns that UN action could trigger Libya-style regime change.
China has indicated it is in favour of creating conditions for aid to be sent.China has indicated it is in favour of creating conditions for aid to be sent.
Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi told the head of the Arab League that China was willing to work with the Arab nations for ''a peaceful and proper settlement of the Syria issue'', China's official Xinhua news agency reported.Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi told the head of the Arab League that China was willing to work with the Arab nations for ''a peaceful and proper settlement of the Syria issue'', China's official Xinhua news agency reported.
"The international community should create favourable conditions in this regard and provide humanitarian aid to Syria," Xinhua quoted him as saying."The international community should create favourable conditions in this regard and provide humanitarian aid to Syria," Xinhua quoted him as saying.
China has accused the West of pursuing "hegemonistic ambitions" in Syria under the guise of "humanitarian concern".China has accused the West of pursuing "hegemonistic ambitions" in Syria under the guise of "humanitarian concern".
Correspondents say it remains far from clear whether Beijing will or will not veto any new Security Council resolution.Correspondents say it remains far from clear whether Beijing will or will not veto any new Security Council resolution.
The Syrian government says at least 1,345 members of the security forces have been killed combating what it calls "armed gangs and terrorists", and puts the number of civilians killed at 2,493.The Syrian government says at least 1,345 members of the security forces have been killed combating what it calls "armed gangs and terrorists", and puts the number of civilians killed at 2,493.
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