Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Syria crisis: 'shelling in Damascus' - live updates

Shelling reported by activists
• US downplays Syrian offer 'to discuss Assad's resignation'
• More sectarian clashes in Lebanon

Haroon Siddique and Brian Whitaker
guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 22 August 2012


"....
Rebels 'returning to Damascus'

A report from Reuters suggests that today's intensified clashes in Damascus are a result of rebels returning to the city.

Maaz al-Shami, a member of the Damascus Media Office, a group of young opposition activists monitoring the crackdown in the capital, said rebels who had left the city during a fierce army campaign last month had started to return.

"They went back to their homes, or disappeared in the green belt surrounding Damascus," Shami said.

"They are back now, and the regime is responding with daily shelling and helicopter bombardment. A war atmosphere in Damascus is setting in," he added.

Shelling reported in Damascus

Explosions have been heard all over Damascus this morning as a result of tank shelling and the artillery positioned on Mount Qasioun, the city's Revolution Leadership Council says. "Sounds of gunfire are also heard due to clashes that erupted in some areas."

The report adds:

• Shelling targeted Nahr Aisha and clashes have been spotted on Damascus-Amman international highway
• Sounds of the clashes and shelling are heard from Midan
• Three tank shells have fallen in Dummar (west)
• Reports of storming Mouadamiyeh (in the western suburbs of Damascus) and Kfar Sousseh by regime forces this morning
• Helicopters are hovering in the sky over Mezzeh and Kfar Sousa.
Helicopters are opening their cannon fire on Darayya, Kfar Sousa and Nahr Aisha
• Initial reports say that the area near Mezzeh military airport has been under shelling due to clashes that erupted there......"

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