A/HRC/21/50 7. Witnesses have alleged that in early to mid-June 2012, the army in conjunction with security forces and pro-Government militias went on an offensive, indiscriminately attacking civilians and fighters alike in most of Al-Qusayr, particularly Arjoun, Abu Huri, Baasatin and generally West Qusayr. Accounts show that the Syrian forces resorted to a range of weapons, including missiles, shells and rifle grenades, striking residential areas and resulting in the loss of life and heavy injury. They also caused damage to private homes and public infrastructure. 8. In early May after visiting Al-Qusayr, a credible source told the commission, ―I witnessed what people generally call random shelling – the Syrian army just spreads mortar fire across an entire neighbourhood. It‟s sometimes preventive while they put up checkpoints. While we were there we were shelled from relatively close in, and it wasn‟t their heaviest ammunition. Plus there were a few rocket attacks, mortar and tanks.‖ 9. Several witnesses — including children and women — suffered from shrapnel wounds as a result of shells exploding within a few meters‘ range. The majority of witnesses who suffered serious injuries as a result of the shelling were civilians at home or in the streets. Several people suffered gunshot wounds at the hands of snipers positioned on top of buildings in Baasatin and West Qusayr. II. Hama Governorate Tremseh, 12 July 2012 10. Shelling in Tremseh was at times aimed at specific military objectives, while at other times appeared indiscriminate. UNSMIS reported that Government forces appeared to be targeting fighters and activists with their weaponry. However the same report stated that, ―a doctor and his children were killed when a mortar shell hit their home‖.b III. Latakya Governorate Salma, 11 June 2012 11. Salma is located on a strategically important road towards the border on Turkey. Anti-Government fighters repelled an attack by Government forces on 11 June. Thereafter, the Syrian army repeatedly shelled the village, using helicopter gunships, mortars and artillery. Reports suggested that the shelling did not target specific locations harboring FSA fighters, but was indiscriminate. Al Haffe, 4–12 June 2012 12. On 5 June 2012 Government forces began an assault on the town of Al-Haffe, Latakya governorate. Prior to the offensive, the town experienced an escalation of antigovernment protests and was home to a small but increasing number of defectors. There was a protest on 4 July which, although non-violent, was clearly calling for the ouster of the Assad Government. 13. Al-Haffe town, whose population of 10,000 is primarily Sunni, is surrounded by Alawi villages. The FSA had a presence in the area numbering as many as 600, apparently based in the nearby village of Dofeel. Government police and military intelligence are normally present in the village and were there at the time of the assault. b 80 See annex V for more details on the events in Tremseh on 12 July.