At least 217 civilians, including women and children, died in a \"massacre\" by Syrian forces in the central city of Homs, a rights group said Saturday, urging the people to rise up against the regime. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said most of the deaths were caused by mortar fire in the Al Khalidiya district of Homs, which has become a flashpoint of the 10-month revolt against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.