Syria Direct: News Update 7-16-2013

* SANA: Al-Qaeda declares intention to create an Islamic State in northern Syria on the first day of Eid al-Fitr.

* Damascus: One person killed and several wounded by a mortar shell near police narcotics division, reports Shahed News.

* Fighter jets continue bombing neighborhoods of Damascus and its suburbs, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

* New Aleppo: Total blackout of land line, cellular and internet services according to LCC.

* Douma LCC: Fighter jets fly over Eastern Ghouta in conjunction with mortar shelling on the city.

* Homs LCC: Fierce clashes between FSA and regime forces on the outskirts of Khalidiya.