Action on Armed Violence has issued an update highlighting concerns over the use of explosive weapons in the Syrian city of Homs. AOAV calls for an end to the use of explosive weapons in populated areas and “condemns the use of indirect-fire weapons, such as artillery shells and multi-launch rocket systems (MLRS) in civilian areas as entirely unacceptable.”

Action on Armed Violence notes:

“The range and intensity of the explosive weapons used by the Syrian armed forces in Homs marks a significant escalation in the conflict. Data collected from English-language news-sources by AOAV on incidents of explosive violence in Syria has shown that in the past year explosive weapons have killed or injured more than 1,200 civilians, and has indicated a collapse in the relationship of accountability between the Syrian state and its population.”

The paper is available for download here: AOAV Syria EV Update 9 February 2012.