Syrian Activists: Battles Continue in Aleppo, Hama

Members of the Free Syrian Army stand near weapons they say were gained from forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, in Aleppo, JulySyrian opposition activists say clashes between rebels and government forces continue in the country's largest city, Aleppo, and in several other areas that have been key sites in the 16-month anti-government uprising.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported shelling in several Aleppo neighborhoods Thursday that killed a girl and wounded seven other people.

The group said deadly clashes were also taking place in the city of Hama and in Deir Ezzor province, as well as explosions targeting military vehicles in Idlib. It reported fighting and explosions in the capital Damascus, where troops have been working to knock out the last pockets of resistance since rebels launched a campaign to take control of the city earlier this month.

In the battle for Aleppo - the nation's economic center - activists say the government has used attack helicopters and tanks during nearly a week of fighting.

White House spokesman Jay Carney said Wednesday those reported tactics are a sign of the "depths of depravity" Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has demonstrated himself capable of achieving.

"As we’ve seen in Aleppo today, the longer we go, the more willing Assad is to take extreme measures to kill his own people," Carney said.

Assad Losing Support

Carney also said the United States has confirmed that two more Syrian diplomats - the ambassadors to Cyprus and the United Arab Emirates - have defected.

"This is another indication, we believe, that senior officials around the Assad inner circle are fleeing the government because of the heinous actions taken by Assad against his own people, and the recognition that Assad’s days are numbered," he said.

President Assad has already faced the defections of Syria's ambassador to Iraq and a number of high-ranking military officers, including his one-time confidante Manaf Tlas, a top general in the Republican Guard.

World Weighs Options

As the fighting raged on in Aleppo and other cities, Arab diplomats said Wednesday they are preparing to bring a Syria resolution to the United Nations General Assembly.  The measure would likely mention Syria's statements earlier this week regarding the possible use of chemical weapons against foreign attackers.

Russia and China have vetoed three U.N. Security Council resolutions calling for tough action against Syria, but U.N. General Assembly resolutions are non-binding and cannot be vetoed.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged world leaders Wednesday to act to end the "slaughter" in Syria. He said the international community cannot "take refuge behind strong words and weak action."

"The United Nations is doing all that we can," he said.  "But action - meaningful action - will take the concerted efforts of the international community.  Without unity, there will be more bloodshed.  More deadlock means more dead."

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported some 160 Syrians were killed across the country on Wednesday alone. The group says a total of more than 19,000 people have been killed since the conflict began in March of last year.