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Fear in Syrian Capital as Mortar Shells Rain Down
(AP-Washington Post) As President Assad's forces press ahead with an offensive in the Syrian capital, rebels are increasingly hitting back by sending volleys of mortar shells crashing into central Damascus. They fall randomly, often during rush hour, smashing into schools, businesses, churches and homes, leaving a trail of death and terror. Dozens of shells have struck the historic city center and surrounding areas in the past two weeks, launched from rebel-held neighborhoods on the outskirts. Much of the recent shelling has centered on Christian-majority areas in the Old City. Christians are convinced that Islamic extremists among the rebel fighters are deliberately targeting their neighborhoods. On Thursday, a mortar shell landed inside the Russian Embassy in Damascus, killing one Syrian and wounding nine, including guards, the Russian Foreign Ministry said. The death toll and damage is relatively minor compared to opposition-held urban centers which have been battered - in some cases entire blocks have been leveled - by Syrian army warplanes, heavy artillery and street fighting.