Syria: At Least 79 Dead On Monday As Violence Surges In Several Towns

Monday reports indicate that violence has once again surged in Syria, following the Saturday suspension of the United Nations monitoring mission due to unsafe conditions.

Reuters reports that at least 79 people have died so far on Monday, including civilians, rebel fighters and government forces. Attacks have been reported in several towns, including Douma, Tafas, Deir al-Zor, Deraa and the capital city of Damascus.

The army attacks all the time. They have tanks, missiles, mortars and artillery. Even helicopters have fired on us. People can't escape because the army is surrounding the town, said an activist named Ziad in Douma.

The conflict, which began in March 2011, has pitted Syrian rebel fighters against President Bashar Al-Assad's oppressive regime. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimates that at least 14,000 people, mostly civilians, have died since the uprising began.

U.N. peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous called the conflict a full-fledged civil war last week.