Helicopter brought down as fighting continues in Syria

A Syrian military helicopter was downed on Monday during clashes between government forces and rebels in the Capital Damascus.

The helicopter went down engulfed in flames amid gunfire near a mosque and lightly armed rebel fighters have been said to be shooting down helicopter gunships. Government has never confirmed this.

Bashar al-Assad’s regime continued to use air power against rebel fighters as his forces become stretched as they try to cover multiple fronts.

The cause of the crash has not yet been reported but intense fighting between troops and rebel fighters has been supported by helicopter gunships and fighter jets.

Reports of mass killing have also been made after regime forces allegedly went on a killing spree which lasted a full day. The death toll reached between 300 and 600 people but due to severe media restrictions, the verification of numbers is impossible.

Activists posted videos of rows of bodies during mass burials being sprayed with water from hoses to replace ritual washing according to Islam.

Turkish authorities in the north blocked access to thousands of Syrians fleeing from violence over the border due to increasing numbers and insufficient camps to accommodate them. Turkey worked to build more camps to deal with the refugee crisis as the war continues to grow and spread across borders into neighbouring countries.

 According to a Syrian News Agency, 378 detained persons were released after being arrested for participation in peaceful street protests.

Similar pardons have been issued in the past as a way to isolate the rebels and create the illusion of a concerned regime.