Red Cross Negotiating Humanitarian Cease-Fire in Syria

The International Committee of the Red Cross says it is trying to broker a humanitarian cease-fire in Syria, as government tanks and troops mass around Homs and fears grow of a major renewed offensive in the city.

The ICRC’s chief spokeswoman said Monday the Geneva-based agency has been in talks

with Syrian authorities and opposition groups, but attempts to negotiate a cease-fire have begun only recently.

Carla Haddad said the ICRC is discussing several possibilities for delivering urgently needed humanitarian aid, including “a cessation of fighting” in the most affected areas. The group is the only international agency deploying aid workers in Syria and works in tandem with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent.

The announcement came as Syria’s military sent tanks and other reinforcements towards Homs, sparking calls from an activist for women and children to flee the besieged central city. Homs-based activist Hadi Abdullah told the French news agency residents fear an imminent attack on Baba Amr, the main rebel stronghold in Homs. He demanded safe passage for women and children to leave the area.

Also Monday, two Iranian warships docked at the Syrian port of Tartous. The ships are reported to be providing training for Syrian naval forces.

Syria’s president, Bashar al-Assad, still counts on support from Iran and allies such as Russia, which fears losing its main Arab partner. Earlier this month, Russia and China vetoed a Western- and Arab-backed U.N. Security Council draft resolution that endorsed an Arab League plan for Assad to cede power.