One day after the UN General Assembly voted to condemn Syria’s government and endorsed the Arab League’s “Yemen Solution,” the opposition is claiming that security forces have intensified the shelling of the contested city of Homs.
Reports from the opposition have put the death toll at 56 today, with much of the violence coming in Homs, which also saw major public protests. Protests were also reported in Idlib, Hama, and Daraa.
Opposition figures also complained that there was no sign Syria was implementing the General Assembly’s demands. This is unsurprising, as the resolution was non-binding and Syria’s government had already rejected it repeatedly.
The Assad government has called a nationwide referendum for next weekend on a new constitution. The referendum would authorize significant reforms, including allowing rival parties to contest elections in the traditionally one-party system. The US loudly condemned the vote.
