Syria: 12 men shot at close range latest victims of civil war Homs and its surrounding provinces are riven by the fault-lines of sectarian hatred. In the months since the start of the Syrian uprising, the relationship between the patchwork of Sunni and Alawite villages has broken down, poisoned by hatred, attacks and reprisals. Two weeks ago in Shomaraya, a mixed village in the province of al-Qusair, Alawite residents set fire to Sunni homes, activists reported. Armed opposition militiamen from the Free Syrian Army regularly attack checkpoints manned by Alawite soldiers and paramilitaries. On Friday, government forces pounded villages in al-Qusair as they tried to subdue a region that has become a backbone for opposition fighters. The small villages in al-Qusair have been attacked by shelling. We have many wounded. One child, I think he is around 11, has a wounded leg. I think we will have to amputate it," said an activist calling himself "Monza" who spoke from inside the province. For months, much of Qusair town has been under rebel control. Last months opposition activists held local elections, choosing the heads of security, humanitarian and finance committees. Rebels established what they called a "court system" in which they tried their captives before a Sheikh. Prisons were even created. The town, located close to the border with Lebanon, became an essential base for smuggling arms and supplies. Thus far rebel fighters have succeeded in repelling efforts by government troops to retake the parts of Qusair under insurgent control. But, activists told the Daily Telegraph, it was unclear whether resistance would be possible for much longer. We are trying, but it is very difficult. The government has put tanks along the border and they are attacking us every day," said Monza. The humanitarian situation is very bad. We don't have enough food and our doctors don't have medicines. Maybe we can withstand one week, but not much longer than that.