Activists demand opposition unity against Assad's regime

War-torn Syrian city of Homs Syrian activists carried out mass protests nationwide Friday calling for unity among factions fighting against President Bashar al-Assad's regime. The demonstrators urged armed groups to work together to overthrow Assad and restore the Islamic Caliphate in Syria.
Meanwhile, broadcaster Shaam News Network (SNN) reported that the army had shelled several areas on the outskirts of the capital, Damascus. Airstrikes were reported in Qaboun, with a number of opposition fighters being detained in Salhiya and Rukn al Din.
UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said that troops continued their military offensive on the western Syrian city of Homs. The watchdog added that surface-to-surface missiles were used in Khalidiya as military aircraft besieged a large number of neighbourhoods.
In Aleppo, northwest Syria, SNN said that government forces targeted a large number of neighbourhoods with mortar rockets. Forces clashed with the rebel Free Syrian Army (FSA) in the town of Khan al-Asal. SOHR noted similar clashes in the area of Rashidin. It added that the Free Syrian Army managed to destroy a number of military vehicles related to the Syrian regime.
In separate developments, the Syrian National Coalition (SNC) has once again called on the United Nations and Western powers to support the Syrian opposition. In a statement, the group highlighted the need for the urgent supply of food and drugs to residents of the Syrian cities of Homs and Daraa.
Syrian activist Farah al-Atassi raised the necessity of international interference to end the current blockade imposed by the Syrian regime against the people of Homs. She said her plea was "political, ethical and humanitarian."
Speaking to reporters in Istanbul, Turkey, she urged the international community to arm the Syrian opposition with developed weapons.
The Syrian army is currently involved in a fierce battle with opposition forces to reclaim the city of Homs. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has asked both sides to let the 2500 civilians caught up in the violence leave the city to receive treatment.