DAMASCUS
Sounds of explosions and clashes in Syrian capital of Damascus dominate the city which once was famous with its authentic music and dancers and entertainment spots that were open until early hours of the day.
While clashes take place on a daily basis, Damascus residents can not sleep at nights due to sounds of helicopters, armored vehicles and explosions.
Continuous electricity shortages affect life in Damascus negatively while people in the city try to follow up developments via satellite TV channels.
Shops that get closed early in the day due to military operations get re-opened later in the day.
There are dozens of security check points in Damascus.
Social life has virtually come to an end in Damascus and one can no longer see tango dances performed for the visitors of the city. In addition, there are no longer any entertainment centers open till early hours of a given day.
Damascus residents feel the impact of the economic crisis badly. Since many bread shops have been closed in the rural areas of the city, people have to go to downtown Damascus to buy breads.
One can notice long lines of people in front of bread shops.
The people of Damascus, a city that has attracted individuals throughout history, now wish that the sounds of weapons end and that the city reaches tranquility.
Sources said that fierce clashes were taking place in Damascus between the pro-Assad military forces and the Free Syrian Army on Thursday.
Meanwhile, trucks, automobiles and passengers waiting at the Cilvegozu Border Gate at the Syrian border in Turkey are unable to enter Syria due to clashes taking place at the other side of the border.
More than 300 Syrians were killed in the last 24 hours in violent incidents in different corners of Syria.
The attack on various high level Syrian officials in Damascus on Wednesday resulted in the Syrian government's taking more violent steps against the opposition.
A blast at the building hosting the Syrian National Security Council's meeting on Wednesday killed at least five people, including the Syrian Deputy Chief of General Staff and al-Assad's brother-in-law, Assef Shawkat, as well as Minister of Defense, Daud Rajihah.
Following the blast, at least 100 people were killed in a violent attack during a funeral ceremony for an opposition member in the Seyyide Zeyneb region where the Shiites are in majority.
Syria is presently going through its most bloody days since the opposition movements began almost a year ago.
