US Closes Damascus Embassy as Assad Forces Kill More Syrians

The United States has closed its embassy in Syria as the government there escalates its violent crackdown on an opposition uprising. Syrian government forces on Monday were bombarding the country’s third largest city of Homs, large parts of which are in rebel hands.
Residents say shells slammed into apartment blocks, causing numerous casualties, as Syrian government forces pounded areas of Homs with heavy artillery.  Opposition sources indicated that tanks had blocked all entrances to the city.
Videos on opposition websites showed bodies in the street amid pools of blood.  Other videos showed men trying to evacuate people from a field hospital which had been hit.  It was impossible to independently verify the videos.
Al Arabiya TV showed live webcam images of shells slamming into the Bab Amr district of Homs as smoke rose from buildings which had caught fire.  The most intense shelling was reported in the districts of Bab Amr, Khalidiya, Bab Sibai and Insha’at.
Opposition activist Omar Idliby told al Hurra TV that government forces began to prepare for the bombardment hours in advance:
He says government forces withdrew from many positions inside Homs overnight in preparation for the bombing campaign, which is being conducted from a distance.  He says the rebel soldiers defending parts of Homs have only light arms.  He claims the government used attack helicopters, as well as artillery and Grad rockets, adding that civilians have been trying to flee, but that it’s been difficult.
Other witnesses say medical supplies are running short in Homs and that government forces are firing on anything that moves, preventing the work of ambulances and rescue workers.
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