Syrian rebels strengthened their hold on an oil-rich province bordering Iraq today, activists said, capturing a key military base which was considered one of the last bastions for President Bashar Assad’s loyalists in the strategic region.

Syria’s foreign ministry has denied government troops were behind an attack on a string of villages that left more than 90 people dead.

Syria’s ally, Russia, added its voice to rising calls for a truce so aid can be sent to violence-hit cities, after deadly clashes rocked a district of the capital near the heart of the embattled regime.

Syrian security forces have fired live rounds and tear gas at thousands of people marching in a Damascus funeral procession that turned into a protest, killing at least one person, activists said.

Syrian security forces fired live rounds and tear gas at thousands of people marching today in a funeral procession that turned into a protest in Damascus, activists said.