Thousands flee as Syria regime steps up shelling in south

Beirut Thousands of civilians have fled"intensified" regime bombardments of rebel-held areas in southern Syria in the past three days as fears mount of a full-blown assault. On Thursday, a Britain-based war monitor said the regime had ramped up its bombardment of Daraa province, leading thousands to flee for their lives."More than 12,000 civilians have fled their homes in the last three days after regime forces intensified their shelling and air strikes on eastern Daraa," the monitor said. The civilians fleeing areas including Nahta, Al-Herak and Basr al-Harir were"heading to nearby villages under rebel control not affected by the bombardment near the Jordanian border." (AFP)