Syrian forces attack Homs, opposition says

Syrian forces on Thursday began a fresh offensive
in the province of Homs, dpa quoted opposition
activists as saying.
The shelling was targeting Al-Rastan city, a stronghold of the
militant Free Syrian Army (FSA), said Rami Abdel Rahman, the spokesman
for the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
"The regime wants to destroy the city as it is totally under the
control of the FSA," he said.
The province was the target of a month-long siege and bombardment
by troops loyal to President Bashar al-Assad in February, according
to the opposition.
The continuing violence in Syria is undermining the mission of 200
United Nations observers who are monitoring a ceasefire that went
into effect on April 12.
The UN's truce is part of a plan proposed by UN-Arab League envoy Kofi
Annan to end 14 months of bloodshed in Syria.