Rebels in the Syrian city of Aleppo say they have come under the heaviest bombardment from government forces since fighting began there two weeks ago. There has also been fighting in the Syrian capital Damascus affecting several suburbs. Richard Galpin reports.
It has been another day of intense fighting in Syria's most important cities. In Aleppo, military jets and helicopters were in action trying to
dislodge
rebels fighters from their positions inside the northern city. More people have also been fleeing, fearing an all around assault by the army and air force which has recently received reinforcements. There have also been battles in the capital Damascus. The rebels here as in Aleppo are
holding out
much longer than expected.
State television in Iran has reported that gunmen have kidnapped Iranian pilgrims visiting a Shia shrine in the Syrian capital Damascus. An official of the Iranian embassy said the pilgrims were on a visit to Sayyida Zainab as mask screen gunmen stopped their bus.
The United Nations has urged the authorities in Burma to fully investigate the violence last month between members of the Buddhist majority and minority Muslims. It has been reported that almost 60 people were killed. Speaking at the end of a six-day of visit to Burma, a senior UN official, Tomas Ojea Quintana, said he heard numerous of reports of human rights violations. Mr. Quintana said Burmese soldiers and police officers have been accused of killings, torture and arbitrary arrests following a week of