Fighting erupts in Damascus

The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has said the clashes in Damascus last night are the most violent the Syrian capital has seen.

Rami Adbulrahman said 18 pro-Assad fighters were wounded in the shooting, and that the sound of heavy machine gun fire echoed through the night.

He said:

"These clashes were the most violent and the closest to the security force headquarters in Damascus since the outbreak of the Syrian revolution."

Residents in Damascus say there has been heavy fighting between the Free Syrian Army rebels and forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad.

This footage was posted on a social media site and cannot be independently verified.

Reuters news agency is reporting a heavy firefight has broken out between Free Syrian Army rebels and Assad forces in the Al-Mezze district of Damascus, Syria.