FIVE CHILDREN DEAD IN SYRIAN TOWN BOMBARDMENT
BEIRUT, March 16, 2013 (AFP) - Syrian regime forces pounded the rebel-held town of Binesh near the Turkish border killing a woman and five children, and also rained shells on parts of Damascus on Saturday, a watchdog said.
The Observatory said shells hit Binesh on Saturday, killing the woman and the children, as clashes broke out around the nearby town of Maaret alNuman which rebels captured in October 2012.
At least 55 people were killed nationwide in Syria on Saturday, including 22 civilians, said the Observatory, which collects information from a network of representatives and medics on the ground.
On Friday, the day when
Shells hit Binesh on Saturday, killing the woman and the children, as clashes broke out around Maaret al-Numan
the conflict entered its third year, at least 216 people were killed in violence across the country -- one of the highest figures for several weeks, the Observatory said.
Regime forces also pounded parts of Damascus on Friday night, sending residents fleeing from the northern Barzeh district, where snipers were deployed, the watchdog said.
Shells also slammed into the Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmuk along with the Jubar, Barzeh and Qaboon neighbour- hoods of Damascus on Saturday, it said.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency, which helps Palestinian refugees, said a member of its teaching staff had been killed in Khan Eshieh camp, southwest of Damascus, adding that Nasri Khalil Hasan was the sixth member of its staff in Syria to be killed in the conflict.