Syria unrest: Second day of fierce Damascus clashes
20:35, 16 July 2012
DAMASCUS. July 16. KAZINFORM Armoured personnel carriers have been deployed in areas of Damascus, Syrian activists say, as fierce clashes rage in the capital for a second day, BBC informed.
The activists said troops backed by armoured vehicles had entered the Midan district to try to dislodge rebels.
Witnesses say this appears to be the biggest military deployment in the capital in the 16-month uprising.
Meanwhile, Russia said Western attempts to get Moscow to discuss sanctions contained "elements of blackmail".
'Our turn now'
Monday's clashes appeared to be the heaviest fighting in Damascus in the 17-month uprising against the rule of President Bashar al-Assad, activists said.
The BBC's Jim Muir says the violence seems to be creeping ever closer to the heart of the capital and the centre of the government's power.
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