BICOM

Syrian President Bashar Assad’s forces bombarded the opposition Sunni Muslim districts in the city of Homs for the twentieth day in a row this morning, according to Syrian activists, despite international outrage over the reported killing of more than 80 people yesterday.

Two Western journalists were among those killed yesterday in an intensification of the offensive to crush anti-Assad resistance in Homs. Foreign Secretary William Hague paid homage to the two journalists – French photographer Remi Ochlik and Marie Colvin of the Sunday Times – adding that there death is a “terrible reminder of the suffering of the Syrian people – scores of whom are dying every day.” Hague also said that governments around the world have “the responsibility to act upon that truth” and redouble their efforts to stop the Assad regime’s “despicable campaign of terror in Syria.”

The army is blocking medical supplies and electricity is cut off 15 hours a day in Homs, according to activists. Hospitals, schools, shops and government offices are also closed. UN humanitarian chief Valerie Amos is heading to Syria in an effort to bring relief to the civilians in Homs. The International Committee of the Red Cross is also in talks with the Syrian government and opposition figures to seek agreement on a daily two-hour cessation of hostilities.

The UN say more than 5,400 people have been killed by Assad’s regime in the uprising that began 11 months ago. Syrian activists put the death toll at more than 7,300.