The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Valerie Amos, has spoken out about the use of explosive weapons in populated areas during the bombardment of the Syrian city of Homs. In a series of key messages on Syria issued on 10 February 2012, the Emergency Relief Coordinator said:

“The use of mortars, rockets and other explosives against people in some of the most densely populated parts of Homs, is abhorrent.  It is causing widespread suffering now, and the damage to buildings and infrastructure will lead to far reaching problems in the future.  I call on the Government of Syria to comply with international law, to immediately end the shelling, and to refrain from the use of explosive weapons in densely populated areas.”