Note to correspondents by the Spokesman for the UN Supervision Mission in Syria

Note to correspondents by the Spokesman for the UN Supervision Mission in Syria 11 June 2012 The UN Supervision Mission in Syria is concerned with the escalation of violence in the city of Homs, a Syrian opposition stronghold. UN observers reported heavy fighting in Rastan and Talbiseh, north of the city, with artillery and mortar shelling, as well as firing from helicopters, machine guns and smaller arms. In Talbiseh, UN observers reported that the Free Syrian Army captured Syrian Army soldiers. The impact from heavy artillery shelling and machine gun firing was heard and seen over the neighborhood of Khaldiyeh in the city centre. UNSMIS has also received reports of a large number of civilians, including women and children trapped inside the town and are trying to mediate their evacuation. UN observers are not yet able to confirm reports of large number of casualties. UNSMIS calls on all sides to stop the killing and human rights abuses, to ensure the protection of civilians and to respect international law. UNSMIS further calls on the parties to grant the UN observers immediate and unfettered access to conflict zones.