VIOLENCE

Syrian Forces Shell Rebels

Government forces continue attacks.

Forces loyal to Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad kept up attacks on rebels in the Homs area Sunday, according to activists. The mortar and rocket attacks killed at least 35 people, according to the Syria Network for Human Rights. Helicopter gunships and other heavy weaponry also backed government forces near the city of Latakia, where rebels said that they have killed close to 60 soldiers and wounded 200 more since fighting began Tuesday. Syrian media claimed Saturday that “terrorist groups” had targeted public facilities in the area, including a national hospital. Six children were killed in the fighting near Latakia when a shell struck a house Saturday. Meanwhile, the opposition group elected Abdelbasset Sida as its new leader at a meeting in Istanbul. Sida said the country should "stop the killing machine in a decisive decision" under the U.N. peace plan.