As a result of the news of the FSA's victories in Ghouta, east of Damascus, several areas of the city are under attack by Assad forces, and fierce fighting has broken out in several locations.
The LCC has two disturbing claims of escalation. The first, that 6 people were reportedly killed and dozens injured by shelling and mortars in Saqba.
The second, that more than a thousand shabiha may be on their way to a village northwest of Damascus:
More than 1000 Shabih wearing civilian's clothes and carrying weapons and knives went out towards Qudsaya and its Suburbs lead by a Brigadier in the Air Force Intelligence. Most residents who fled Qudsaya headed to Qudsaya suburbs.Is this claim true? For now, it is unconfirmed, but the LCC is rarely this alarmist.
Large protests have spread across the country of Syria today. A common theme is voted on by activists across the nation using Facebook polls. Today's theme: "We Want Weapons, Not Statements," a reference to the lack of international response to the Syrian crisis.
Incredibly, despite all the violence inflicted upon the city, large crowds of protesters gathered in Darayya, southwest of Damascus. Many hundreds have died in Darayya in the last two months.
Large crowds gathered across Idlib province, the stronghold of the opposition, though the regime's guns, shells, and planes are never far away.
This was reportedly taken in Sarmda: