Syrian forces bombarded an opposition-held neighbourhood in Homs with rockets and mortar. The move of the Arab League to get a resolution passed against the Assad government in the UN Security Council has been foiled by the veto exercised by Russia and China. The UN chief, General Ban Ki-moon condemned the ferocity of the government assault on the heart of a revolt against President Bashar al-Assad. The protest against Assad’s authoritarian rule broke out nearly a year ago. The UN Chief regarded the recent bombing as a harbinger of alarming things to come. The Syrian Revolution Coordinating Commission said that at least 30 civilians were killed in Homs, which is mainly a Sunni Muslim neighbourhood and the focus of attack by the government which represents the Alawite religious minority. A Syrian doctor appealed to the international community to help the wounded to be transported. The US said it was considering ways to get food and medicine to the victims. That should deepen international involvement in the conflict.
Russia and China vetoed a resolution at the UN Security Council against the Assad regime but they are not idle spectators of the intensifying crisis in Syria. The Russian government has been in talks with the Assad government to put an end to hostilities. China had decided to send diplomats to Damascus to smooth over the crisis. But a united UN intervention is the only answer to the problem and India supported the move. However, a military intervention in Syria with a domino effect all around will be far from desirable.
