New images taken recently in the Syrian city of Homs indicate the severe destruction of the city, which was subjected to a military crackdown in recent weeks. Homes, public buildings were all damaged by heavy bombings. According to Syrian rights activists, the city has seen continued heavy shelling since Sunday evening.
According to reports, Sunday's death toll reached 17. They were killed across various governorates, 9 of them in Homs.
Residents of Homs described the situation in the city as a "real war." According to a member of the Information Office of the Federation of Homs neighborhoods, spoke about a state of severe panic due to the heavy shelling in the city.
Meanwhile, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday said the steps taken by his country focus on two tracks; the political reform and putting an end to the acts of armed groups. His remark came during his meeting with a delegation of the ALBA countries in Damascus.
The delegation includes Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez, Bolivian Minister of Communications Ivan Canelas, Venezuelan Deputy Foreign Minister Temir Porras, Ecuadorian Foreign Ministry Sub-secretary Pablo Villagomiz and Nicaraguan Deputy Foreign Minister Maria Rubiales.
"The foreign attack on Syria got more fierce as soon as the internal situation started to get better, since what they want is not reforms, but to make Syria pay the price for its stances and defiance of the foreign plots in the region," said the Syria leader. "Despite this, the reform process will be proceeding and it is being carried out based on a sovereign decision independent of any foreign dictates from whatever side," stressed Assad.
