A Syrian activist says a 12-year-old boy has been killed in the central city of Homs, which security forces have sealed off after mass protests against the regime.
An activist who was getting witness accounts from Homs said the child was killed Sunday as shooting and shelling erupted in the city. The activist declined to be named for fear of retribution.
Syria has banned foreign media and restricted access for reporters to many parts of the country, making it difficult to confirm witness accounts independently. President Bashar Assad has used the military and security forces to crush the country's seven-week uprising across the nation.
More than 580 civilians and 100 soldiers have been killed since the revolt began, rights groups say.
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