Syrian activists claim many dead in Hama battles

2012-08-04 1

A home reduced to rubble.

Opposition leaders in Syria say fierce fighting is continuing to claim countless lives in Hama.

This video, which cannot be independently verified by Reuters, reportedly shows the aftermath of battles between government forces and rebels in the central Syrian city.

The violence came within hours of Kofi Annan's announcement he was stepping down as the U.N.'s peace envoy.

Fighting has heated up in recent weeks, with President Bashar al-Assad's forces meeting stiff resistance from rebel units.

Jessica Gray, Reuters