This a satellite image provided by DigitalGlobe of the Qabun neighborhood in Damascus, Syria was acquired July 18, 2012. The satellite imagery shows a tank on 6th Rishreen road in the lower left portion of the image as well as a smoking building on the feeder portion of the exchange. Vehicle tracks and possible rubble are visible on the road just above the smoking building. Five additional tanks or armored vehicles are located elsewhere in Qabun, encircling the neighborhood. (AP Photo/DigitalGlobe)
July 19, 2012 - 4:19 AM
BEIRUT - Anti-regime activists say government forces are shelling a number of neighbourhoods in and around the capital Damascus a day after a bomb killed three members of President Bashar Assad's inner circle.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported shelling in number of areas Thursday. It says residents are fleeing parts of the Mezzeh neighbourhood after troops surrounded it and clashed with local rebels.
The group says rebels damaged one helicopter and disabled three military vehicles.
Wednesday's bombing targeted a high-level crisis meeting, killing the defence minister, his deputy, who is Assad's brother-in-law, and a former defence minister. Other officials were wounded.
The whereabouts of Assad, his wife and his three young children remain unknown.
The attack could mark a turning point in Syria's 16-month crisis.
News from © The Associated Press, 2012