Gun battles rage in the streets of Syria.<br/> <br />This video, posted to a social media website, reportedly shows rebel fighters firing at government troops in the city of Homs.<br/> <br />Reuters cannot independently verify the video.<br/> <br />Violence is on the upswing in Homs, which is at the centre of a bloody, year-long uprising against Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.<br/> <br />Another video shows the bodies of 13 people apparently executed and dumped in the streets of the city.<br/> <br />While more footage shows a funeral for several people who reportedly died Friday in the restive city of Hama.<br/> <br />Meanwhile, thousands of people gathered in the capital Damascus to show their support for al-Assad.<br/> <br />The rally - and the surge in violence - comes just days before a ceasefire between the government and the rebel forces is scheduled to come into effect.<br/> <br />Andrew Raven, Reuters
