Troops battle opposition fighters in Homs Sporadic shelling and clashes reported in Syrian city as Western powers call for UN Security Council action.

Syrian troops have reportedly clashed with opposition fighters in the city of Homs, as the army tried to enter the opposition stronghold of Bab Amr.

Activists said the fighting happened at the al-Bassel football field at the outskirts of Bab Amr, which is controlled by the armed opposition.

Sporadic shelling was also reported in the city on Wednesday morning.

Al Jazeera's Rula Amin, reporting from neighbouring Lebanon, said sources close to the government said the army had almost cleared Bab Amr from fighters, but this claim was disputed by activists.

The latest reports of violence came as the international community continued to debate the Syria crisis. 

The Chinese foreign minister said his country would back international efforts to send humanitarian aid to Syria, after Western powers proposed a United Nations resolution authorising humanitarian aid.

Al Jazeera English