The UN observer mission in Syria on Monday expressed concern about escalating violence in the central city of Homs and said it was trying to negotiate the evacuation of civilians. "The impact from heavy artillery shelling and machinegun firing was heard and seen over the neighborhood of Khaldiyeh in the city center," the UN Supervision Mission in Syria said in a statement. "UNSMIS has also received reports of a large number of civilians, including women and children trapped inside the town and are trying to mediate their evacuation." It added that reports of a large number of casualties could not yet be confirmed. [Link]