Fresh clashes in Syria's Homs as Russians flee
January 23, 2013  01:24
A fresh outbreak of fierce fighting has gripped the strategic Syrian city of Homs, a watchdog said on Tuesday, as Russia warned of a protracted civil war and helped its citizens flee the violence. 

A day after Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi said a UN-backed peace mission had yet to yield even a "glimmer of hope", the 22-month conflict pitting rebels against forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad showed no signs of abating. 

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that at least 23 troops and pro-regime fighters were killed and dozens wounded in Homs, dubbed "the capital of the revolution" by the opposition.

"So far, we have confirmed 23 of the men have died, but the actual number may be higher," said the Observatory's Rami Abdel Rahman. 

The troops were killed in heavy clashes in western Homs, which Abdel Rahman said was crucial as it lies on a "strategic fault line" both for the rebels and the pro-Assad forces. 
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