On the day that Arab League observers were set to arrive, Bashar Assad's unleashed a furious shelling on the city of Homs. More than 40 were killed today, hundreds wounded. Residents who could be reached for comment were using words such as "carnage, and massacre." Homs has been cut off from the rest of Syria for months now. Shelling has increased in intensity since a government deadline, to "surrender" lapsed last Monday at midnight.

Arab League observers are to visit Homs tomorrow, but it is doubtful whethertheir visit will stop any of the killing. The observer mission will have up to 100 observers in groups of ten visiting various cities and provinces. The intentions of these observers are admirable, but it remains to be seen how much autonomy Assad will let them exercise. The people of Homs and many Human rights groups fear a genocide is beginning to take place in that city.