DHAKA: The Syrian government has been ‘deliberately and unlawfully’ demolishing thousands of homes.

A new report by Human Rights Watch says, reports the BBC.

Satellite images appear to show large-scale demolitions with explosives and bulldozers in opposition strongholds in Damascus and Hama in 2012 and 2013.

The report says the apparent wanton destruction of civilian property and collective punishment are war crimes.

It comes as government and opposition delegates attend peace talks in Geneva.

On Wednesday, UN envoy Lakhdar Brahimi admitted he did not expect there to be any substantial progress during the current round of negotiations, which are scheduled to end on Friday.

But Brahimi said the ice had started to thaw between the two sides, though the gap between the two was still ‘quite large’.

BDST: 1640 HRS, JAN 30, 2014