Syrian army is fighting with armored vehicles against the rebels in the city of Hama 2601125

In the country, several civilians and a Christian religious were killed. The priest was murdered by a terrorist group according to the official SANA news agency. But anti-regime activists say he was killed by Syrian soldiers.

Government forces clashed with army defectors and stormed rebellious districts in central Syria on Wednesday, firing mortars and deploying snipers in violence that killed at least seven people, including a mother and her 5-year-old child, activists said.

It comes as pressure increases on the United Nations to draft fresh sanctions against President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said his country, which holds a veto in the UN Security Council, remained opposed to sanctions and any possible military intervention.

“A fourth essential element of any (UN) resolution is the firm statement that this resolution may not be used to – cannot be interpreted to – justify any kind of outside military intervention in Syria,” said Sergei Lavrov.

Nonetheless, following the decision of the Gulf members of the Arab League to end their part in its monitoring mission, the UN Security Council could vote as early as next week on a draft resolution that calls on President Assad to stand down and transfer his powers to his deputy.