Syrian in civil war as govt troops continue heavy shelling

Syrian in civil war as govt troops continue heavy shelling continues and nearly 170 people killed across nation. Concerns for more civilian casualties to rise as government troops intensify attacks on areas controlled by opposition forces.Fighting continues between government troops and the opposition Free Syrian Army, which resumed its offensives after a series of civilian massacres allegedly carried out by pro-government militias. UN observers in Syria have admitted that the crisis can now be called a civil war.

Opposition forces are expanding their areas of control with the cooperation of local residents, while government troops are intensifying airstrikes from helicopters and long-range shelling from suburban areas.

A resident in the  town of Haffa told media on Wednesday that government forces are bombarding the town from the east and the west, destroying many buildings.Another resident in the city of Homs said fighting has intensified and that a UN monitor he spoke to by phone told him there's nothing they can do.

A human rights group in Syria says nearly 170 people were killed across the country on Monday and Tuesday.