Syrian forces shell restive areas, killing six, say activists

At least six people were killed Wednesday when Syrian forces shelled areas in the dissident central province of Homs, said opposition activists dpa reported

"The shelling is concentrating on the neighbourhood of Karam al-Zeitoun. Old buildings are collapsing on their residents as a result," Omar Homsi, an activist in the province, told dpa by phone.

Meanwhile, Syrian troops, backed by military vehicles and tanks, were cracking down on the district of Bab Qebli in Hama, another restive province, said the opposition.

Security forces Wednesday fired randomly in the village of Ahsm in the province of Idlib on the Syrian-Turkish border, said the opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The attack, which damaged several stores, was aimed at ending a strike observed by the villagers, added the London-based observatory.

There were no immediate reports about casualties.

The United Nations estimates that more than 5,400 people have been killed in Syria since the anti-regime uprising began in March, inspired by a wave of revolts sweeping across the Arab world.