Russia and China's refusal to adopt the Syrian resolution seen as a way to shame them said Western diplomats. (Rob Young/Flickr)

The 193-nation assembly approved the Saudi-drafted resolution which expressed "grave concern" over the escalating violence in Syria, according to Reuters.

Russia, Assad's ally, was among the 12 countries that voted against resolution, which carries no enforcement power. China, Iran, North Korea, Belarus, Cuba and others also voted against the resolution calling for "an inclusive Syrian-led political transition to a democratic, pluralistic political system."

Meanwhile, armed clashes have erupted in Damascus, Aleppo and Hama with reports of a deadly mortar attack on a major Palestinian refugee camp in Damascus, according to The New York Times.

For more of Neon Tommy's coverage on Syria, click here.

Reach Executive Producer Subrina Hudson here; follow her on Twitter here.