Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

IN PHOTOS: The Syrian catastrophe continues

Last updated on: June 13, 2012 11:07 IST

With violence intensifying, children massacred and often used as 'human shields', and international pressure groups absolutely clueless on how to restrict the mass bloodshed, the war in Syria is just drifting from bad to worse.

Bashar Al Assad's unpopular government has been alleged to unleash a reign of violence -- bloodier than ever before -- on the rebel troops. However, the lives of millions of common Syrians have been irrevocably damaged.

The popular uprising against more than five decades old Ba'ath Party government, which began as a part of the wider Arab Spring movement in January 2011, has taken the lives of at least 20,000 people till date, injuring thousands others.

The United Nations has already termed the situation in Syria as a 'civil war' and has warned of an alarming escalation of violence. But the combined efforts of UN and other countries to stall the brutality in Syria has been entangled in international diplomacy and proved futile till now.

Rediff.com brings forth some photographs of the latest violence in war-torn Syria.

Damaged buildings are seen in Homs in this May 24 picture. This western city, about 100 kms north of capital Damascus has been one of the epicentres of the military operation against rebels and has witnessed widespread casualties and devastation.

 Click on NEXT for more...

IN PHOTOS: The Syrian catastrophe continues

Last updated on: June 13, 2012 11:07 IST

A man walks past damaged buildings in war-torn Homs on June 2. The Syrian army has been able to regain most of the city -- also known as 'The Capital of Revolution' by the opposition – from the rebels following prolonged violence and bombardment.

Click on NEXT for more...

IN PHOTOS: The Syrian catastrophe continues

Last updated on: June 13, 2012 11:07 IST

Smoke rises from the Al Qusoor district of Homs in this handout picture following heavy shelling by the Syrian army.

Click on NEXT for more...

IN PHOTOS: The Syrian catastrophe continues

Last updated on: June 13, 2012 11:07 IST
Debris of a classroom in a school damaged by government forces, according to the opposition, are seen in Al Qasseer city, near Homs.

Click on NEXT for more...

IN PHOTOS: The Syrian catastrophe continues

Last updated on: June 13, 2012 11:07 IST

A general view of buildings, which according to the opposition were damaged by the government's army, at Juret al-Shayah in Homs.  

Click on NEXT for more...

IN PHOTOS: The Syrian catastrophe continues

Last updated on: June 13, 2012 11:07 IST

Buildings damaged by the government army, according to the opposition, are seen at Bab Dreeb in Homs.

Click on NEXT for more...

IN PHOTOS: The Syrian catastrophe continues

Last updated on: June 13, 2012 11:07 IST
Syrian women walk at the Baba Amr neighbourhood of Homs during a United Nations observers' visit. The United Nations is accelerating deployment of unarmed observers to Syria to monitor a shaky UN-backed ceasefire.

Click on NEXT for more...

IN PHOTOS: The Syrian catastrophe continues

Last updated on: June 13, 2012 11:07 IST

A Syrian man inspects a damaged house in Talbisa area in Homs, northern Syria.

Click on NEXT for more...

IN PHOTOS: The Syrian catastrophe continues

Last updated on: June 13, 2012 11:07 IST
A damaged car is seen in front of a damaged building in the old city of Homs following heavy shelling.    

Click on NEXT for more...

IN PHOTOS: The Syrian catastrophe continues

Last updated on: June 13, 2012 11:07 IST
A dead man is seen among damaged buildings in war-torn Homs.


Click on NEXT for more...

IN PHOTOS: The Syrian catastrophe continues

Last updated on: June 13, 2012 11:07 IST
A man walks past a damaged building in downtown Homs.

Click on NEXT for more...

IN PHOTOS: The Syrian catastrophe continues

Last updated on: June 13, 2012 11:07 IST
Buildings damaged by the government army, according to the opposition, are seen at Bab Dreeb in Homs.


Click on NEXT for more...

IN PHOTOS: The Syrian catastrophe continues

Last updated on: June 13, 2012 11:07 IST
Buildings damaged by the government army, according to the opposition, are seen at Juret al-Shayah, in Homs.

Click on NEXT for more...

IN PHOTOS: The Syrian catastrophe continues

Last updated on: June 13, 2012 11:07 IST
A view shows a damaged building in the old city of Homs.

Click on NEXT for more...

IN PHOTOS: The Syrian catastrophe continues

Last updated on: June 13, 2012 11:07 IST
Damaged cars and debris are seen in the Bab al-Draib neighbourhood in Homs city.

Click on NEXT for more...

IN PHOTOS: The Syrian catastrophe continues

Last updated on: June 13, 2012 11:07 IST

Damaged buildings are seen in the centre of war-torn Homs.

Click on NEXT for more...

IN PHOTOS: The Syrian catastrophe continues

Last updated on: June 13, 2012 11:07 IST
A general view of damaged buildings, which according to the opposition were damaged by the government's army, in Homs on June 5, 2012.


Click on NEXT for more...

IN PHOTOS: The Syrian catastrophe continues

Last updated on: June 13, 2012 11:07 IST
Damaged buildings are seen in war-torn Homs on June 2.

Click on NEXT for more...

TOP photo features of the week

Last updated on: June 13, 2012 11:07 IST

Click on MORE to see another set of PHOTO features...