Violence drops in Syrian capital, its suburbs after UN vote

BEIRUT (AP):

Despite a drop in intensity, shelling and bombardment in the Syrian capital and its embattled eastern suburbs killed at least six people yesterday following the United Nation's Security Council's unanimous approval of a resolution demanding a 30-day ceasefire across Syria.

Attacks on residential areas appear to have shifted to strikes on front lines where some of the most intense fighting took place throughout the day between government forces and their allies against insurgents.

State media said that troops pushed into the eastern suburbs, reports that the opposition denied.

Opposition activists reported clashes on the southern edge of the rebel-held suburbs, known as eastern Ghouta, and two air strikes late last Saturday night, shortly after the resolution was adopted. Yesterday, more shelling and air strikes were reported in eastern Ghouta and Damascus.

The drop in violence came after a week of intense air strikes and shelling that killed more than 500 people in eastern Ghouta and left dozens dead or wounded in the government-held Damascus, which rebels pelted with mortar shells.