William Hague condemns Syria after reports of massacre in Homs The time is long past for the international community, particularly those that have so far sheltered the Assad regime, to intensify the pressure to end over 10 months of violence. Mr Hague said it was "all the more chilling" that the latest casualties were sustained on the 30th anniversary of the Hama massacre. Around 20,000 people died in the 1982 operation by the Syrian army - then under the command of President Assad's father. "I condemn unequivocally the use of tanks, mortars and artillery in civilian areas," Mr Hague said. There were six arrests this morning amid protests at the Syrian embassy in London.