Burnt-out vehicles and shop debris littered the streets of Haffeh on Thursday (June 14) as a result of clashes between rebels and government forces.<br/> <br />Days of fighting has forced at least 26,000 people out of the Syrian town.<br/> <br />U.N. observers were finally able to enter Haffeh on Thursday only to be greeted by the handful of residents brave enough to have stayed behind.<br/> <br />The observers found state buildings burnt down, shops abandoned and a body lying in the street.<br/> <br />Violence has surged in recent weeks after government forces and allied militia launched offensives to regain territories controlled by the opposition, and after rebels abandoned a ceasefire negotiated by international envoy Kofi Annan in his efforts to ease the conflict between President Bashar al-Assad and the movement fighting to end his family's four decade rule.
