Explosions heard near foreign embassies in Syrian capital

Witnesses reported explosions and gunfire today as security forces cordoned off a neighbourhood where foreign embassies, including the US Embassy, are located in the Syrian capital Damascus.

Ambulances and fire engines rushed to the area after the mid-morning reports of violence.

One witness said he could not tell exactly what was happening in the Abu Rummaneh area of the Syrian capital. The Iraqi Embassy also is in the neighbourhood.

But the witness said “there was gunfire, explosions and quite a commotion” in the area.

Another witness also said there was heavy gunfire in the area.

Attempts to reach the US Embassy by telephone went unanswered. Security forces kept pedestrians away.