Saturday, 04 Feb 2012 11:05
The Syrian government has been accused of a massacre in Homs
By Matt Duxbury
Hundreds of people have been killed by a fresh bombardment of artillery shells and mortar fire in the Syrian city of Homs, according to opposition groups.
One opposition member told Sky News that the death toll could be as high as 350, with Syrian government forces accused of killing women and children in the streets.
However, the government has denied responsibility for the killings and state media outlets blamed the attacks on armed gangs.
It is not possible to independently verify activist reports because media access to the troubled country is restricted.
However, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 217 people have been killed in the latest shelling, with the Khalidya district of Homs the worst affected.
"This is the worst attack of the uprising," said Rami Abdul-Rahman, head of the observatory.
"Syrian forces are shelling the district with mortars from several locations."
Homs has become a focal point for the ongoing revolt against President Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria, with anti-government protests taking place there since March last year.