Gunfire, Explosions Erupt As Syrian City Besieged

Summary

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BEIRUT - Gunfire and explosions erupted Thursday in the city at the heart of Syria's anti-government uprising as soldiers launched a massive crackdown, witnesses said. Terrified residents cowered inside their homes and used mosque loudspeakers to call for blood donations to help the wounded.

Details about the siege in Homs were sketchy, as most witnesses told The Associated Press they were too scared even to look out their windows. The city has seen some of the most intense violence as the regime tries to stamp out a revolt that has lasted more than four months.

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Gunfire, Explosions Erupt As Syrian City Besieged

"I can see smoke billowing from the neighborhood," a witness told The Associated Press by telephone from the Bab Sbaa area of Homs, about 100 miles from Damascus. Heavy gunfire crackled in the background. "We cannot leave our homes."

Ca...

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