The King of Slaughter, Too

In the Battle for Qusair, which lies on an important supply rout to Homs from Lebanon, Syrian artillery is battering the rebel defenders. With all the talk of Assad's so-called devastating air power, this artillery is the real threat to the rebels.

The battle rages in Qusair:

Saturday's barrage of rockets, mortar rounds and tank shells began after daybreak, said Qusair activist Hadi Abdullah and the pro-opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which is based in Britain. Both said it was the most intense shelling since the regime launched its offensive there a week ago.

They also reported heavy gunfire. The Observatory said at least seven people were killed.

The intense shelling could be heard in Lebanon's border areas and in the Syrian city of Homs, some 25 kilometers (15 miles) away.

A NATO no-fly zone and strikes on Assad's airfields would have no impact on this battle.