Damascus: Mid-day news update 5-15-13

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

Damascus:

* Smoke seen above the capital, near the Kafar Sooseh area.

* Car bomb explodes near a-Shafi mosque in Mazzeh; security forces close the road.

* Car bomb explodes near the General Staff guards at Umayyad Square.

* Internet service stops in most Syrian provinces.

Outer Damascus:

* A MiG carries out an airstrike on a-Nabbek.

* Army reinforcements from Mazzeh Air Force Base head for Darayya. Fierce clashes and bombardment on the town since the early morning on the southern frontline of the city.