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Syria resolution has no chance, says Russia - live updates Syria resolution has no chance, says Russia - live updates
(40 minutes later)
1.47pm: Emad Mahou, an activist with the Syrian Revolution Co-ordinators Union, based in Zabadani, close to Wadi Barada, said there has been heavy bombing in the Barada valley and 18 people have been killed by the security forces, including a 12-year-old girl called Fatima. He said the assault has been carried out by the Republican Guard, which is commanded by Bashar al-Assad's feared brother Maher.
A huge, huge number [of troops] belonging to the Republican Guard were invading the valley of Barada, Wadi Barada, with tanks and they were bombing two cities, Basemah, and the second is Deir Qanoun....There are around 11 houses [which] fell down to the ground on the heads of their residents. After five or six hours there were negotiations between the army and the civilians there. They [the army] said get out and take your martyrs and wanted men from the ground. When they got out to take them they [the army] started to shoot them.
Members of the Free Syrian Army started to fight with the Republican Guard in the area called Ashrafiet al-Wadi ...Members of the Free Syrian Army had a big fight with the Republican Guard and kill about 20 of them and destroy a tank.
We don't know why they [the Republican Guard] are in the area right now but you can say all the people here are against the system. People go out to protest, to topple the regime, to say we want the regime to leave.
Zabadani activist says 18 killed in Wadi Barada today: "We need to get help" (mp3)


Mahou said people in Zabadani were following developments at the UN security council and desperately wanted action to be taken.
We are waiting for them to help us, to put some more pressure on the system. We need help to get free from this regime. They are killing us very day, they are bombing us. A few months ago they were shooting us, now they are bombing us with tanks. Maybe tomorrow they will bomb us with aeroplanes.
He said Zabadani itself is under the control of the Free Syrian Army but people are afraid that it might not remain so:
Zabadani is liberated. There is no army inside Zabadani, there are no security [forces] inside Zabadani. It is a liberated city and the Free Syrian Army hold the city till now but we are afraid of any invasion from the regime. We cannot fight them forever ...we will run out of bullets, we will run out of rockets. We need help. We need help from Europe from the the US. We need a no-fly zone, we need them to help us as soon as possible, we can't stand alone.
1.19pm: On the eve of the anniversary of the Hama massacre Nadim Houry, Middle East deputy director from Human Rights Watch, tweets this:1.19pm: On the eve of the anniversary of the Hama massacre Nadim Houry, Middle East deputy director from Human Rights Watch, tweets this:
Wounded refugee from #Hama told me:"Hafez killed my father in1982,Bashar's troops shot me last year but I survived." is this progress?Wounded refugee from #Hama told me:"Hafez killed my father in1982,Bashar's troops shot me last year but I survived." is this progress?
— Nadim Houry (@nadimhoury) February 1, 2012— Nadim Houry (@nadimhoury) February 1, 2012
1.04pm: Here's a summary of events so far today:1.04pm: Here's a summary of events so far today:
• Russia's envoy to the European Union says he sees no chance of the Arab-Western resolution passing in the security council. Interfax quoted Vladimir Chizhov as saying: "[The draft] is missing the most important thing: a clear clause ruling out the possibility that the resolution could be used to justify military intervention in Syrian affairs from outside. For this reason I see no chance this draft could be adopted."• Russia's envoy to the European Union says he sees no chance of the Arab-Western resolution passing in the security council. Interfax quoted Vladimir Chizhov as saying: "[The draft] is missing the most important thing: a clear clause ruling out the possibility that the resolution could be used to justify military intervention in Syrian affairs from outside. For this reason I see no chance this draft could be adopted."
• Activists say 21 people have been killed in Wadi Barada near the border with Lebanon as a result of shelling and firing from snipers. The Local Co-ordination Committees (LCC) say the Free Syrian Army has been battling government forces and six military defectors were among the dead. Wadi Barada is close to Zabadani, described last month by some as Syria's "first liberated city". The LCC says 43 people have been killed in total in Syria so far today. After Wadi Barada, the highest number of casualties has been in Homs, where 11 people have died, according to the LCC. Its reports can not be independently verified.• Activists say 21 people have been killed in Wadi Barada near the border with Lebanon as a result of shelling and firing from snipers. The Local Co-ordination Committees (LCC) say the Free Syrian Army has been battling government forces and six military defectors were among the dead. Wadi Barada is close to Zabadani, described last month by some as Syria's "first liberated city". The LCC says 43 people have been killed in total in Syria so far today. After Wadi Barada, the highest number of casualties has been in Homs, where 11 people have died, according to the LCC. Its reports can not be independently verified.
• A number of opposition groups have issued a joint press release calling for protesters to take to the streets across Syria on Thursday and Friday to commemorate 30 years since the Hama massacre, when President Hafez al-Assad, Bashar al-Assad's father, razed the city to crush a Sunni rebellion, slaughtering an estimated 20,000 of his own people. Signatories, including the Syrian National Council and the LCC, say it is the first time a remembrance ceremony will be held inside Syria for the victims.• A number of opposition groups have issued a joint press release calling for protesters to take to the streets across Syria on Thursday and Friday to commemorate 30 years since the Hama massacre, when President Hafez al-Assad, Bashar al-Assad's father, razed the city to crush a Sunni rebellion, slaughtering an estimated 20,000 of his own people. Signatories, including the Syrian National Council and the LCC, say it is the first time a remembrance ceremony will be held inside Syria for the victims.
• Eleven Iranian citizens have been kidnapped in Syria, in the second such incident in a week, Syrian state television has claimed. On Thursday last week another bus carrying Iranian pilgrims was attacked by gunmen in central Syria, Iranian media reported, and 11 passengers were abducted. In December, Tehran said five Iranian technicians had been seized in Homs. Iran is a staunch ally of Bashar al-Assad.• Eleven Iranian citizens have been kidnapped in Syria, in the second such incident in a week, Syrian state television has claimed. On Thursday last week another bus carrying Iranian pilgrims was attacked by gunmen in central Syria, Iranian media reported, and 11 passengers were abducted. In December, Tehran said five Iranian technicians had been seized in Homs. Iran is a staunch ally of Bashar al-Assad.
12.58pm: Photojournalist Alessio Romenzi gave his account of the Free Syrian Army's precarious hold on the city of al-Qusayr, near Homs, in an article in today's Guardian.12.58pm: Photojournalist Alessio Romenzi gave his account of the Free Syrian Army's precarious hold on the city of al-Qusayr, near Homs, in an article in today's Guardian.
You can see his pictures of the fighting in the area in a new Guardian gallery.You can see his pictures of the fighting in the area in a new Guardian gallery.
12.46pm: There's a curious development in the case of Abd al-Rahim Al-Nashiri,a Saudi citizen who is facing a military trial in Guantánamo Bay on various terrorism charges, including masterminding the attack on USS Cole in Yemen in 2000, writes Brian Whitaker.12.46pm: There's a curious development in the case of Abd al-Rahim Al-Nashiri,a Saudi citizen who is facing a military trial in Guantánamo Bay on various terrorism charges, including masterminding the attack on USS Cole in Yemen in 2000, writes Brian Whitaker.
On Tuesday, as part of his defence, Nashiri's lawyers filed what the court documents describe as a "motion to depose Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh".On Tuesday, as part of his defence, Nashiri's lawyers filed what the court documents describe as a "motion to depose Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh".
At present, though, it's hard to know what this is all about. Clicking on the link leads to a note saying the lawyers' document is "currently undergoing a security review" and will be available to the public within 15 days "if the document is deemed publically releasable".At present, though, it's hard to know what this is all about. Clicking on the link leads to a note saying the lawyers' document is "currently undergoing a security review" and will be available to the public within 15 days "if the document is deemed publically releasable".
12.32pm: Amnesty International has said Russia must not block international efforts to tackle ongoing violence and human rights violations in Syria.12.32pm: Amnesty International has said Russia must not block international efforts to tackle ongoing violence and human rights violations in Syria.
José Luis Díaz, Amnesty International's representative to the UN in New York said:José Luis Díaz, Amnesty International's representative to the UN in New York said:
Russia's threats to abort a binding UN security council resolution on Syria for the second time are utterly irresponsible. Russia bears a heavy responsibility for allowing the brutal crackdown on legitimate dissent in Syria to continue unchecked.Russia's threats to abort a binding UN security council resolution on Syria for the second time are utterly irresponsible. Russia bears a heavy responsibility for allowing the brutal crackdown on legitimate dissent in Syria to continue unchecked.
Russia must work with other security council members to pass a strong and legally binding resolution that will help to end the bloodshed and human rights violations in Syria once and for all.Russia must work with other security council members to pass a strong and legally binding resolution that will help to end the bloodshed and human rights violations in Syria once and for all.
Razon said that while the latest draft of the UN security council resolution is a step in the right direction, it "falls short of what's required". He added:Razon said that while the latest draft of the UN security council resolution is a step in the right direction, it "falls short of what's required". He added:
After more than 10 months of a government campaign of killings, arbitrary detention, torture and enforced disappearances, clear mechanisms for accountability must be at the heart of the security council's efforts to end the crisis.After more than 10 months of a government campaign of killings, arbitrary detention, torture and enforced disappearances, clear mechanisms for accountability must be at the heart of the security council's efforts to end the crisis.
The security council must now refer the deteriorating situation in Syria to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, freeze the overseas assets of President al-Assad and his senior associates, and impose an arms embargo.The security council must now refer the deteriorating situation in Syria to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, freeze the overseas assets of President al-Assad and his senior associates, and impose an arms embargo.
12.18pm: There are reports of a number of deaths in Wadi Barada, near the mountain resort town of Zabadani and close to the border with Lebanon. Zabadani was hailed by some as "the first liberated city" last month.12.18pm: There are reports of a number of deaths in Wadi Barada, near the mountain resort town of Zabadani and close to the border with Lebanon. Zabadani was hailed by some as "the first liberated city" last month.
The activist group, the Local Co-ordination Committees, says 21 people have been killed in Wadi Barada so far today, including five from the Free Syrian army killed in clashes with the regular army, and many more injured. It has posted a video online it says is of one of the dead.The activist group, the Local Co-ordination Committees, says 21 people have been killed in Wadi Barada so far today, including five from the Free Syrian army killed in clashes with the regular army, and many more injured. It has posted a video online it says is of one of the dead.
It says there has been heavy random shelling, which has destroyed many houses, and "intensive and random gunfire". The LCC claims "snipers are shooting anything moving". It says the extent of the bombardment has prevented people helping the injured.It says there has been heavy random shelling, which has destroyed many houses, and "intensive and random gunfire". The LCC claims "snipers are shooting anything moving". It says the extent of the bombardment has prevented people helping the injured.
Across Syria, the death toll today has reached 43 in total according to the LCC. It says 11 people have been killed in Homs, four in Dera'a, three each in in Damascus suburbs and Idlib, and one in Qamishli.Across Syria, the death toll today has reached 43 in total according to the LCC. It says 11 people have been killed in Homs, four in Dera'a, three each in in Damascus suburbs and Idlib, and one in Qamishli.
The LCC's reports cannot be independently verified.The LCC's reports cannot be independently verified.
11.25am: Eleven Iranian citizens were kidnapped while on a religious pilgrimage in Syria, in the second incident of its type in a week, Syrian state television reported on Wednesday.11.25am: Eleven Iranian citizens were kidnapped while on a religious pilgrimage in Syria, in the second incident of its type in a week, Syrian state television reported on Wednesday.
"Their bus was on its way ... to Damascus when it was attacked by an armed group and 11 out of 35 passengers were abducted," the station quoted Iranian pilgrimage official Massoud Akhavan as saying."Their bus was on its way ... to Damascus when it was attacked by an armed group and 11 out of 35 passengers were abducted," the station quoted Iranian pilgrimage official Massoud Akhavan as saying.
On Thursday last week another bus carrying Iranian pilgrims was attacked by gunmen in central Syria on Thursday, Iranian media reported, and 11 passengers were abducted.On Thursday last week another bus carrying Iranian pilgrims was attacked by gunmen in central Syria on Thursday, Iranian media reported, and 11 passengers were abducted.
Five Iranian technicians were also kidnapped in the central city of Homs in December, Press TV, owned by the Iranian government reported.Five Iranian technicians were also kidnapped in the central city of Homs in December, Press TV, owned by the Iranian government reported.
A previously unknown group calling itself "Movement against the Shia tide in Syria" claimed it kidnapped the technicians, in a fax sent to AFP in January.A previously unknown group calling itself "Movement against the Shia tide in Syria" claimed it kidnapped the technicians, in a fax sent to AFP in January.
The Assad regime has claimed the uprising is sectarian in nature. Assad is a member of the minority Alawite sect, a branch of Shia Islam, while most of the protesters are Sunni. Iran is a staunch ally of the Syrian government.The Assad regime has claimed the uprising is sectarian in nature. Assad is a member of the minority Alawite sect, a branch of Shia Islam, while most of the protesters are Sunni. Iran is a staunch ally of the Syrian government.
10.59am: In a Foreign Policy article provocatively titled "Rebels Without a Clue", Justin Vela writes that the Muslim Brotherhood's "dominance" within the opposition Syrian National Council (SNC) is leading some to distance themselves from the council:10.59am: In a Foreign Policy article provocatively titled "Rebels Without a Clue", Justin Vela writes that the Muslim Brotherhood's "dominance" within the opposition Syrian National Council (SNC) is leading some to distance themselves from the council:

A defected Syrian soldier in the Free Officers Movement, which is aligned with the Free Syrian Army but does not take orders from it, describes the Brotherhood as "malignant."
A defected Syrian soldier in the Free Officers Movement, which is aligned with the Free Syrian Army but does not take orders from it, describes the Brotherhood as "malignant."
"[The Free Officers Movement] has a limited relation with the SNC because they are controlled by the Muslim Brothers," he told me."[The Free Officers Movement] has a limited relation with the SNC because they are controlled by the Muslim Brothers," he told me.
The officer, a Sunni, said that the Brotherhood's presence was particularly problematic in Syria due to the large number of minorities in the country. It would be difficult to convince minorities, especially the Alawites, that their rights would be guaranteed with the Muslim Brotherhood steering the political opposition, he says.The officer, a Sunni, said that the Brotherhood's presence was particularly problematic in Syria due to the large number of minorities in the country. It would be difficult to convince minorities, especially the Alawites, that their rights would be guaranteed with the Muslim Brotherhood steering the political opposition, he says.
It is not the first time such complaints have been aired. Last month, Abdulhakim Bashar, chairman of the recently formed Kurdish National Council, told the Atlantic: "The current path is the one that Islamists are taking in the SNC, not the liberal representatives."It is not the first time such complaints have been aired. Last month, Abdulhakim Bashar, chairman of the recently formed Kurdish National Council, told the Atlantic: "The current path is the one that Islamists are taking in the SNC, not the liberal representatives."
10.44am: A number of opposition groups have issued a joint press release calling for protesters to take to the streets across Syria on Thursday and Friday to commemorate 30 years since the Hama massacre, when President Hafez al-Assad, Bashar al-Assad's father, razed the city to crush a Sunni rebellion, slaughtering an estimated 20,000 of his own people.10.44am: A number of opposition groups have issued a joint press release calling for protesters to take to the streets across Syria on Thursday and Friday to commemorate 30 years since the Hama massacre, when President Hafez al-Assad, Bashar al-Assad's father, razed the city to crush a Sunni rebellion, slaughtering an estimated 20,000 of his own people.
The statement, which includes the Syrian National Council, the Local Co-ordination Committees and the Hama rebels council among its signatories, says it is the first time a remembrance ceremony will be held inside Syria for the victims. It says:The statement, which includes the Syrian National Council, the Local Co-ordination Committees and the Hama rebels council among its signatories, says it is the first time a remembrance ceremony will be held inside Syria for the victims. It says:
The Arab and international silence regarding [Hafez] Assad's crimes and those of his thugs has lasted 30 years and this silence is a partner in his crimes. Also this irresponsibility has allowed crimes to keep happening till our present day… this has allowed the continuation of these crimes by [Hafez] Assad's son Bashar Al- Assad and his thugs to keep committing these barbaric massacres on a daily basis and all over the country in broad daylight.
The Arab and international silence regarding [Hafez] Assad's crimes and those of his thugs has lasted 30 years and this silence is a partner in his crimes. Also this irresponsibility has allowed crimes to keep happening till our present day… this has allowed the continuation of these crimes by [Hafez] Assad's son Bashar Al- Assad and his thugs to keep committing these barbaric massacres on a daily basis and all over the country in broad daylight.
10.04am: The activist group the Local Co-ordination Committees in Syria claims 25 people have been killed so far today in Syria.10.04am: The activist group the Local Co-ordination Committees in Syria claims 25 people have been killed so far today in Syria.
They include five members of Free Syrian Army in the Damascus suburb of Wadi Barada, according to the group's Facebook page.They include five members of Free Syrian Army in the Damascus suburb of Wadi Barada, according to the group's Facebook page.
It also names four people killed in al-Gharba al-Sharqiah in the southern province of Dera'a.It also names four people killed in al-Gharba al-Sharqiah in the southern province of Dera'a.
The reports cannot be independently verified.The reports cannot be independently verified.
9.55am: The British publisher Cannongate Books has denied reports that it has bought the rights to the memories of Suzanne Mubarak, wife of the deposed Egyptian leader.9.55am: The British publisher Cannongate Books has denied reports that it has bought the rights to the memories of Suzanne Mubarak, wife of the deposed Egyptian leader.
A spokeswoman said: "It's completely untrue. We don't know where they got the story from."A spokeswoman said: "It's completely untrue. We don't know where they got the story from."
9.44am: Lawrence of Arabia became an unlikely subject of row during the security council debate on Syria, AFP reports.9.44am: Lawrence of Arabia became an unlikely subject of row during the security council debate on Syria, AFP reports.
Syria's ambassador to the UN, Bashar Ja'afari said his country voted for a parliament in 1919 while "Lawrence of Arabia was wreaking havoc with the destinies and resources of the states and was trying to turn the bloc back to obscurantism."Syria's ambassador to the UN, Bashar Ja'afari said his country voted for a parliament in 1919 while "Lawrence of Arabia was wreaking havoc with the destinies and resources of the states and was trying to turn the bloc back to obscurantism."
Britain's foreign secretary William Hague responded: "It is not acceptable to try to blame the situation in Syria on everyone else, from outside intervention to the Gulf states to French states to Lawrence of Arabia. This does not excuse such repression."Britain's foreign secretary William Hague responded: "It is not acceptable to try to blame the situation in Syria on everyone else, from outside intervention to the Gulf states to French states to Lawrence of Arabia. This does not excuse such repression."
8.29am: Welcome to Middle East Live. The focus remains on the diplomatic efforts at the United Nations to force Syria's president Bashar al-Assad to step down, while his troops continue to crush pockets of resistance around Damascus.8.29am: Welcome to Middle East Live. The focus remains on the diplomatic efforts at the United Nations to force Syria's president Bashar al-Assad to step down, while his troops continue to crush pockets of resistance around Damascus.
Here's a roundup of the latest developments:Here's a roundup of the latest developments:
• Russia's envoy to the European Union says he sees no chance of the Arab-Western resolution passing in the security council. Interfax quoted Vladimir Chizhov as saying that the current draft resolution, does not clearly rule out military intervention, Reuters reports.• Russia's envoy to the European Union says he sees no chance of the Arab-Western resolution passing in the security council. Interfax quoted Vladimir Chizhov as saying that the current draft resolution, does not clearly rule out military intervention, Reuters reports.
Chizhov said:Chizhov said:
[The draft] is missing the most important thing: a clear clause ruling out the possibility that the resolution could be used to justify military intervention in Syrian affairs from outside. For this reason I see no chance this draft could be adopted.[The draft] is missing the most important thing: a clear clause ruling out the possibility that the resolution could be used to justify military intervention in Syrian affairs from outside. For this reason I see no chance this draft could be adopted.
• Earlier the Russia news agency RIA Novosti claimed Russia's envoy to the United Nations, Vitaly Churkin, was seeking a consensus on the Syria crisis. "We believe a consensus of the Security Council members on Syria is not only necessary but possible," Churkin told the UN Security Council meeting.• Earlier the Russia news agency RIA Novosti claimed Russia's envoy to the United Nations, Vitaly Churkin, was seeking a consensus on the Syria crisis. "We believe a consensus of the Security Council members on Syria is not only necessary but possible," Churkin told the UN Security Council meeting.
• But according to the Guardian, Russia declared its intention to scupper any attempt to force Assad to step down, denouncing the resolution as "meddling" that could lead to conflict and military intervention. Churkin said:• But according to the Guardian, Russia declared its intention to scupper any attempt to force Assad to step down, denouncing the resolution as "meddling" that could lead to conflict and military intervention. Churkin said:
The international community should not be meddling in economic sanctions or through the use of military force. We will not stand for any sanctions resolution or using the council's tool box to foment conflict and military intervention in the future.The international community should not be meddling in economic sanctions or through the use of military force. We will not stand for any sanctions resolution or using the council's tool box to foment conflict and military intervention in the future.
• Hillary Clinton sought to allay Russian fears by claiming that the international community did not want to intervene in the crisis as it had in Libya.• Hillary Clinton sought to allay Russian fears by claiming that the international community did not want to intervene in the crisis as it had in Libya.

She said:

She said:

Now, I know that some members here may be concerned that the Security Council could be headed toward another Libya. That is a false analogy. Syria is a unique situation that requires its own approach, tailored to the specific circumstances occurring there. And that is exactly what the Arab League has proposed – a path for a political transition that would preserve Syria's unity and institutions.Now, I know that some members here may be concerned that the Security Council could be headed toward another Libya. That is a false analogy. Syria is a unique situation that requires its own approach, tailored to the specific circumstances occurring there. And that is exactly what the Arab League has proposed – a path for a political transition that would preserve Syria's unity and institutions.
Now, this may not be exactly the plan that any of us ourselves would have designed. I know that many nations feel that way. But it represents the best effects and efforts of Syria's neighbors to chart a way forward, and it deserves a chance to work.Now, this may not be exactly the plan that any of us ourselves would have designed. I know that many nations feel that way. But it represents the best effects and efforts of Syria's neighbors to chart a way forward, and it deserves a chance to work.
• Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov refused to take Clinton's telephone calls, after staying away from the UN, the specialist UN blog Inner City Press reports. Clinton said nothing should be read into Lavrov not taking her call, blaming the apparent snub on poor communications in Australia where Lavrov is visiting.• Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov refused to take Clinton's telephone calls, after staying away from the UN, the specialist UN blog Inner City Press reports. Clinton said nothing should be read into Lavrov not taking her call, blaming the apparent snub on poor communications in Australia where Lavrov is visiting.
• Syrian ambassador to the UN, Bashar Ja'afari, accused the Arab League of violating its principles and siding with pro-Israeli western countries.• Syrian ambassador to the UN, Bashar Ja'afari, accused the Arab League of violating its principles and siding with pro-Israeli western countries.
Syria considers the decision made at the Arab League Council's recent meeting a violation of Syria's national sovereignty, a flagrant interference in its internal affairs and a gross transgression of the goals for which the AL was founded ... The wild tendency of some Western countries to interfere in our internal and external affairs by all means is not new or accidental, but it is a systematic and continued approach since Sykes-Picot agreement in 1916 and Balfour Declaration in 1917, and through the unlimited support to Israel in its aggressive polices and its occupation of the Arab territories.Syria considers the decision made at the Arab League Council's recent meeting a violation of Syria's national sovereignty, a flagrant interference in its internal affairs and a gross transgression of the goals for which the AL was founded ... The wild tendency of some Western countries to interfere in our internal and external affairs by all means is not new or accidental, but it is a systematic and continued approach since Sykes-Picot agreement in 1916 and Balfour Declaration in 1917, and through the unlimited support to Israel in its aggressive polices and its occupation of the Arab territories.
• The opposition Free Syrian Army controls large parts of al-Qusayr but its grip on the city is weak, according photojournalist Alessio Romenzi who has spent more than a week in the area. • The opposition Free Syrian Army controls large parts of al-Qusayr but its grip on the city is weak, according photojournalist Alessio Romenzi who has spent more than a week in the area.
The FSA's fighters here are not strong. They know that they cannot really compete with the regular army in numbers or in equipment. Each of them has a Kalashnikov; some have M16s, RPGs and a few mortars. That is nothing – nothing in comparison with the troops who have remained loyal to the regime. Still, though, they say they will fight on, come what may.The FSA's fighters here are not strong. They know that they cannot really compete with the regular army in numbers or in equipment. Each of them has a Kalashnikov; some have M16s, RPGs and a few mortars. That is nothing – nothing in comparison with the troops who have remained loyal to the regime. Still, though, they say they will fight on, come what may.
• Syrian forces were battling groups of defectors in the eastern outskirts of Damascus on Tuesday as a campaign continued to reclaim pockets of the capital briefly seized by opposition groups. The sound of artillery and gunfire could be heard throughout the afternoon as opposition forces fought street battles with loyalists who had retaken contested areas in northern Damascus on Monday.• Syrian forces were battling groups of defectors in the eastern outskirts of Damascus on Tuesday as a campaign continued to reclaim pockets of the capital briefly seized by opposition groups. The sound of artillery and gunfire could be heard throughout the afternoon as opposition forces fought street battles with loyalists who had retaken contested areas in northern Damascus on Monday.