Group: Syria Using Human Shields

Human Rights Watch accused Syrian security forces of using civilians as human shields, according to a new report released Sunday. The New York–based organization said the Syrian army and gunmen loyal to the regime of President Bashar al-Assad forced civilians to march in front of them when they attacked rebels in the northern province of Idlib earlier this month. Meanwhile, United Nations special envoy Kofi Annan is in Moscow to meet Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, hoping to secure support to end the violence. Russia is an ally of Syria and has repeatedly vetoed sanctions against Assad.