A general view shows Damascus city. Several explosions as well as gunfire were heard in a western district of the Syrian capital where embassies and diplomatic missions are located. Photo by AFP
A series of explosions rocked the western sector of Damascus on Tuesday evening in the vicinity of Iranian and Canadian embassy and the residence of the British ambassador to Syria. Eyewitnesses in Damascus reported between 3 to 5 explosions, others said they heard at least 15 explosions. Heavy gunfire took place for several hours afterwards. Police swiftly cordoned off the area, on the Mezzeh highway, a road lined with residential buildings and office blocks, which links Damascus to neighbouring Lebanon. Syrian state television reported that police had clashed with a terrorist group and said that one attacker had been killed and at least one other arrested.