Beirut: Syrian activists are reporting heavy government shelling and air raids in Damascus and its suburbs.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says government troops have shelled the northern neighborhoods of Jobar, Barzeh and Qaboun of the capital. It also reported an air raid Tuesday on the Damascus suburb of Mleiha.
Maath al-Shami, an activist based in the suburb of eastern Ghouta, says there were several airstrikes in the area.
The Observatory also reported heavy shelling of rebel-held areas in the central city of Homs and the northern city of Aleppo, Syria's largest and former commercial center.
The UN says more than 70,000 people have been killed since Syria's conflict began in March 2011.