Damascus - Syrian authorities on Monday said armed "terrorist gangs" were behind the latest violence in Homs, where activists accused government forces of launching a fierce assault on the flashpoint city.

It added that "terrorist gangs" were also attacking citizens and security forces in various districts of the city.

The official news agency SANA said "terrorist gangs" were also shelling the Baba Amro neighbourhood of Homs and that armed men were deploying in other neighbourhoods.

It also accused armed gangs of attacking public and private buildings in the town of Zabadani, near the capital Damascus. -AFP

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