Smoke and the burnt out shells of cars activists say were destroyed by government shelling in Homs. Video posted to a social media website which Reuters cannot independently verify purported to show violent eruptions throughout Syria.<br/> <br />Protests against President Bashar al-Assad in Douma, amid reports that rebel fighters in the eastern part of the country were forced to flee after a punishing attack by the military.<br/> <br />In a separate blow to their cause, a respected human rights group is accusing opposition groups of committing torture and arbitrary executions during the 12-month uprising.<br/> <br />Despite strong international concern about ending the bloodshed, consensus on whether it should take the form of arming rebels, direct military action or sanctions has been more difficult.<br/> <br />Deborah Gembara, Reuters.
