video transcript

Gun battles rage in the streets of Syria. This video, posted to a social media website, reportedly shows rebel fighters firing at government troops in the city of Homs. Reuters cannot independently verify the video. Violence is on the upswing in Homs, which is at the centre of a bloody, year-long uprising against Syrian president Bashar al-Assad. Another video shows the bodies of 13 people apparently executed and dumped in the streets of the city. While more footage shows a funeral for several people who reportedly died Friday in the restive city of Hama. Meanwhile, thousands of people gathered in the capital Damascus to show their support for al-Assad. The rally - and the surge in violence - comes just days before a ceasefire between the government and the rebel forces is scheduled to come into effect. Andrew Raven, Reuters