Syria: 80 Dead As Regime Intensifies Attacks

At least 80 people died in violence yesterday across Syria, despite a promise by the regime to implement “immediately” a peace plan presented by the international envoy Kofi Annan. 58 civilians were killed, including 20 in the region Taftanaz in Idleb province (northwest), following shelling and heavy firing from machine guns. The others died in clashes between soldiers and military dissidents, said the Syrian Observatory of Human rights.

15 civilians were also killed in military attacks against the city of Homs (center), it said. 18 soldiers were killed in Homs, Idleb and Deraa (south) in the fighting, and four deserters Idleb, the source said. 44 people died on Tuesday.

The Assad regime has intensified its operations against rebel strongholds despite his promise to Kofi Annan to withdraw its troops and tanks from urban centers until April 10, said Monday the U.S. ambassador to the UN Susan Rice, whose country presides the Security Council.

Susan Rice said that the Security Council should respond “quickly and forcefully” if the Syrian regime did not fulfill its promise.