Security forces fired mortars into a district on the outskirts of Damascus on Thursday, the first time an area of the Syrian capital has been shelled since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began 16 months ago.

Activists in the Kfar Souseh neighbourhood of Damascus said the forces of President Bashar al-Assad were firing mortar rounds into orchards on the outskirts of the city, apparently
trying to flush out rebels taking cover there.

The al-Lawan and Basateen districts of Kfar Souseh are a semi-residential area of olive and fruit groves lying astride a major interchange on the capital's Hafez al-Assad southern
bypass highway.

Activists said that tanks had moved in and were firing from the big Hadi Mosque to the east of the fields, and from the al-Mazzeh military airport immediately to the west.

- Reuters