Clashes in Damascus continued for a fourth straight day on Wednesday, activists said, hours before a divided United Nations Security Council votes on a Western-backed draft resolution threatening sanctions against the Syrian government.
Russia opposes demands by the United States and European powers that the resolution threaten sanctions under Chapter 7 of the UN charter, which could allow military action.
Russia and China, Syria’s main allies, have in the past vetoed two UN resolutions condemning President Bashar al-Assad for his bloody crackdown on the 17-month revolt.
Rebels with the Free Syrian Army have in the past few days waged their most daring attacks against government forces in Damascus, bringing the conflict to the doorstep of the ruling al-Assad family and forcing the government to deploy heavy armour in the capital.
Sounds of explosions were heard Wednesday on the outskirts of Damascus, reported the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Fighting was also reported in the central district of al-Midan, where rebel fighters are holed up. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
More government forces and tanks were deployed in areas inside and around Damascus following the violence, activists said.
Soldiers loyal to al-Assad have called on civilians in Damascus areas controlled by the rebels to “leave immediately” ahead of an attack to purge those areas of “terrorists,” activists said.
Opposition activist Rima al-Shami said helicopters were also deployed.
Syrian rebels said Tuesday they had started a battle to liberate Damascus.
