Blasts heard at US Syria embassy

BBC

Explosions and heavy gunfire are being reported near the US embassy in the Syrian capital, Damascus.
Security forces have sealed off the Rawda area, which houses other embassies, security installations and senior officials' residences.

There has been no official confirmation of developments in Damascus, which has seen several blasts in recent years.

Syria is an authoritarian state where the security forces exert tight control on the population and the media.

A security source told the BBC it is believed Syrian forces may have foiled a bomb attack on the US embassy.