Video obtained from a social media website, which Reuters cannot independently verify, purports to show gunfire in Damascus.<br/> <br />Rebels fought government forces in the city on Monday in the most violent gun battles the Syrian capital has seen since the start of the year-long uprising against President Bashar al-Assad, opposition activists claim.<br/> <br />Footage shot by a Reuters crew shows the aftermath of the fighting, with significant damage to a building where clashes took place, including bullet holes in the walls.<br/> <br />The battle comes just two days after a double car bombing in the heart of the city killed at least 27 people.<br/> <br />The fighting seems to be an attempt by rebels to show that despite setbacks in cities such as Homs and Idlib, they still pose a serious threat to the regime.<br/> <br />Other amateur video footage purports to show a fire raging in Homs, and the aftermath of street fighting.<br/> <br />In this video said to be shot in Idlib, a tank can be seen on the street.<br/> <br />Government forces were reportedly bombarding rebel strongholds in the north of the city.<br/> <br />Assad's troops have intensified their crackdown over recent weeks, winning back much lost ground, and analysts are warning the uprising could degenerate into a sectarian civil war.<br/> <br />Nick Rowlands, Reuters.
