Syria’s capital of Damascus is seeing some its heaviest fighting between Syrian government forces and rebels so far this month. At least 40 people were killed Wednesday in government shelling and raids in the city’s southern districts. The violence coincided with the departure from Syria of the last international monitors with the expired U.N. mission. Also Wednesday, U.N. humanitarian chief Valerie Amos launched a new appeal for international aid to help displaced Syrians.

Valerie Amos: “I’m also extremely concerned that all parties to the conflict are failing to comply with international humanitarian law, which sets out clear rules on the protection of civilians. This conflict has taken on a particularly brutal and violent character. We have all seen distressing images on our television screens, and it is ordinary women, men and children who are caught in the midst of it.”