The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said on Wednesday it was trying to evacuate civilians stranded in and around Homs amid fighting in the central Syrian city.
"Our first priority, together with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, is to evacuate the wounded and the sick to safer areas, where they can be treated," said Beatrice Megevand-Roggo, ICRC's head of operations for the Near and Middle East.
The humanitarian agency said it made a request for a temporary halt in fighting on Tuesday to government and opposition groups. Both parties said they would respect the pause.
"The ICRC and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent are ready to enter the old city of Homs and the neighbourhoods of Al-Qarabees, Al-Qusour, Jurat al-Shayyah and Al-Khalidiya," Megevand-Roggo said.
"We also want to evacuate civilians who have been unable to flee the conflict area, and bring in much-needed aid and medical supplies to the local Syrian Arab Red Crescent branch."
Short link: