Troops advancing in Syria’s battle for Hama

At least six civilians were killed early on Tuesday in the Damascus suburb of Erbin after nightly prayers on the first day of Ramadan.

Earlier, four people were killed in Hama, where scores died on Sunday when troops stormed the city.

Rights groups say around 150 people have been killed by President Bashar al-Assad’s forces since Sunday, most of them in Hama, where the president’s father crushed an armed Muslim Brotherhood revolt 29 years ago.

Journalists are not allowed into Syria, but witnesses say Hama, Damascus and Deir al-Zor continue to be shelled by security forces.

‘Huge explosions’

Hama resident Omar Habal told Channel 4 News that Hama was hit by a series of “huge explosions” at around 10.30am on Tuesday.

“We counted 33 explosions in six minutes.

“They were huge explosions, but when we went out there was no damage.

“It looks like they’re using bombs without explosives or ammunition to make people feel scared.”

Omar told Channel 4 News that at least three people were killed by snipers in the streets on Tuesday morning, including one man who was shot while driving a truck-load of chickens to the market.

But he said that despite the intimidation tactics, people are more determined than ever to stand up to the regime.

“They are guarding the city bravely. If they give up it will be a very big massacre.

There were explosions, heavy artillery bombing and shooting from everywhere in the city. Many people in our neighbourhood were killed. Omar Habal, Hama resident

“But people are becoming more nervous. They think, ‘this is our military. How do they kill their people?’

“They [Assad’s regime] push the military to follow orders and if they don’t they will be killed.

“So it is kill or be killed.”

Omar said he is in particular danger for speaking to international media.

“I’m in more danger. They don’t want anyone to speak out about what’s happening.”

He described what he saw on the streets of Hama on Sunday, one of the bloodiest days of the five-month long uprising.

“There were explosions, heavy artillery bombing and shooting from everywhere in the city.

“Houses were damaged. Mosques were damaged. Many people in our neighbourhood were killed.”

The Syrian government has blamed “armed gangs” and said that the military entered Hama to purge armed groups that were terrorising citizens.

UN discusses violence

The UN Security Council has met to consider condemning the bloodshed.

So far, the UN’s stance on Syria has been effectively paralysed by disagreements within the 15-nation body.

Russia has until now refused to agree to a resolution condemning the violence, but has signalled that it could back a new draft resolution.

Critics have expressed fears that a possible condemnation of the bloodshed could be the first step toward a Libya-style military intervention.

‘Total failure’

Human rights campaigner Wissam Tarif, from the Avaaz group, told Channel 4 News that the UN’s meetings are too little, too late.

“It’s a total failure for the UN as an institution. This violence has been going on for five months. About 1600 people have been killed. Crimes against humanity are being committed.

“Even pulling ambassadors is only a symbolic gesture.

EU member states are buying crude oil, and that money is going to the regime. The EU needs to stop buying Syrian oil. If Europe wants, it can stop this. Wissam Tarif, Avaaz Human rights campaigner

“What Syria needs now is an immediate international criminal court referral to start proceedings. There needs to be an arms embargo on a regime that is using weapons against its own people.”

Mr Tarif says President Assad’s regime intensified its crackdown on the eve of Ramadan to stop larger groups of protesters taking to the streets after gathering for prayers.

“The regime is trying to change the mood on the street,” he told Channel 4 News. “The military campaign is expanding and there are more and more casualties but it’s not stopping people from protesting.”

Europe ‘funding the crackdown’

But Mr Tarif believes Europe can cripple the regime financially by refusing to buy oil.

“EU member states are buying crude oil, and that money is going to the regime. The EU needs to stop buying Syrian oil. And it doesn’t have to worry about Russia or China stopping the directive.

“So making the decison just needs political appetite. If Europe wants, it can stop this,” Mr Tarif said.

Syria's oil exports
• Oil sales worth $7 - 8 million a day
• Germany, Italy, France and the Netherlands buy 96 per cent of Syria's oil
• Crude oil makes up the majority of Syria's GDP

EU sanctions

The EU stepped up sanctions against the Assad regime on Tuesday, imposing travel bans and asset freezes on Syrian Defence Minister Ali Habib and several other security officials.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague said the move showed that those responsible for the repression in Syria would be singled out and held accountable.

“The appalling crackdown we witnessed in Hama and other Syrian cities on July 30 and 31 only erode the regime’s legitimacy and increase resentment,” he said in a statement.

“In the absence of an end to the senseless violence and a genuine process of political reform, we will continue to pursue further EU sanctions.”

Italy recalled its ambassador to Syria on Tuesday, citing the “horrible repression” of citizens by the government.

The EU has already imposed sanctions on President Assad and 29 other individuals, three of them Iranian military commanders.