DAMASCUS, Syria, March 4 (UPI) -- Syrian government forces rained down a barrage of artillery Sunday on the northwestern city of Rastan, injuring scores of people, opposition forces said.
Unconfirmed reports to CNN from anti-government rebels said 15 mortar shells fell in 15 minutes on the city. The rebels said three people were killed and scores of others were injured in the government barrage.
By Sunday afternoon, the Syrian Network for Human Rights said 12 civilians had been killed by the military in uprisings throughout the country.
The United Nations estimates at least 7,500 people have been killed in the civil unrest that began in January 2011 calling for the ouster of President Bashar Assad.
Assad has defied international calls for him to step aside and call off his military. His government also has restricted international media access and as recently as Friday, denied the International Red Cross from delivering aid to the embattled city of Homs.
