Syria accused of crimes against humanity

Syria

• Tens of thousands of people took to the streets to protest against the regime of president Bashar al-Assad despite an increase in the government's crackdown against demonstrations. Protests even occurred in the Baba Amro destrict of Homs which has seen the most violence in recent weeks.

• Activists claim 20 people were killed today, including 11 in Homs, as November already looks set to be one of the bloodiest months since the uprising began in March. The Syrian government said its forces killed "five terrorists" in Homs after two members of the security forces were killed in the city.

• Human Rights Watch has released detailed evidence of crimes against humanity, including torture and unlawful killings, by the security forces in city of Homs. "Homs is a microcosm of the Syrian government's brutality," said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at HRW.

• The Free Syrian Army, a group of defectors, claimed responsibility for an attack in Khan Shikhon in northern Syria which left a reported 17 soldiers dead on Thursday. The leader of group, Colonel Riad Assad, has expressed backing for the opposition Syrian National Council but has so far refused the council's request to end attacks against the regular army.

• Today's protests, killings and the report by HRW added pressure on the Arab League to suspend Syria when it meets in Cairo tomorrow. But Algeria, Yemen, Lebanon and Sudan remain firmly opposed to any further Arab League action against Syria.

Source: guardian.co.uk