Assad forces turn up heat on rebels

SYRIAN warplanes and artillery pounded the central city of Homs yesterday, subjecting the rebel stronghold to its heaviest bombardment in months.

The reported tank and mortar shelling as well as airstrikes came alongside a push by regime force on the embattled northern city of Aleppo.

The increasing pace of regime attacks on Syrian cities suggest government forces have not been distracted by escalating tensions with its northern neighbour, Turkey.

Yesterday amateur video posted by activists showed what appeared to be a Syrian government helicopter hurtling to the ground with a trail of white smoke behind it. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which has a network of local activists, said it was told by rebels fighters that they shot down the helicopter over Saqba, east of Damascus.

The video and rebel claims could not be confirmed independently.

In another development, an activist said rebels captured an air defence base in the eastern Ghouta area near Damascus earlier this week. A video showed dozens of gunmen outside a burning building.