Damascus: Mid-day news update

April 4, 2013

The mid-day news update is provided by Shahed News, a network of vetted Syrian citizen journalists providing independent, accurate and reliable news from Damascus and its suburbs

*Damascus/Tishreen neighborhood: Violent clashes [between the FSA and the government forces] in which the government forces used RPGs and mortars.  The Presidential Guards sent reinforcements in an attempt to invade the neighborhood of al-Hafirieh. The battalions of Fawj al-Asima and the First Brigade continue to resist the attack.  Two people were killed in the town of Hafier al-Foka in the bombardment.

*Mezzeh district: A car bomb explodes in Villat Gharbieh (Western Villas). No casualties reported.

*Barzeh district: Heavy gunfire and mortar bombing on the district.

*Outer Damascus: Tank, artillery, and rocket bombardment on the following cities: Duma, Darayya, Muadamya, al-Zabadani, Adra, Zamalka, Harasta, and Jidaidat Artoz and Melayha. Clashes were reported in Darayya near the Southern Highway.

*Al-Otaybah: Five were killed and dozens injured in the government bombardment on the town.

*Al-Qutayfeh: Brigade [Regiment] 14 targets Adra and several areas in Ghouta by artillery. Melayha: An army checkpoints detain 11 vans and a vehicle for unknown reasons.

*Darayya: A military convoy from Mezzeh air-force base headed for the city through the Southern Highway. The convoy included armored vehicles, tanks and six pick-up trucks mounted with machine guns. It also contained several buses and vehicles to transfer soldiers and shabiha.

Political news:

*The Syrian National Council discussed the transitional government headed by Ghassan Hito in Istanbul, its role inside Syria and how it will operate in the liberated areas.