Syrian army continues military operation with tanks against rebels in the city of Homs 0802122.

The army is "shelling us, using rockets, using mortars, using Russian tanks," he said. "Tanks are trying to break into the neighbourhood of Bab Amr."

Activist Hadi al-Abdallah said that at least 43 people were killed overnight in the central city.

“Some areas are completely sieged. There is no internet, no landlines or mobile lines," he said.

Al-Abdallah said there had been no retaliation by the armed opposition because the government forces were shelling from positions several kilometres away.

The official state news agency said "armed terrorist groups" had attacked police roadblocks in Homs and fired mortar bombs at the city, with three falling on the Homs oil refinery.

Syrian forces heavily shelled the restive city of Homs on Monday, february 6, 2012, and troops pushed back dissident troops from some suburbs on the outskirts of Damascus in an offensive trying to regain control of the capital's eastern doorstep, activists said.

Opposition groups say at least 7,000 people have died since the anti-Assad uprising began 11 months ago.