Battles rage in Syria; symbolic mosque crumbles

Firefights waged throughout the country, as mosque that serves as a rebel meeting ground is razed.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Syrian mosque ruins 370 (photo credit: REUTERS)
Syrian mosque ruins 370
(photo credit: REUTERS)
As Syrian rebels and government forces waged a deadly battle in the city of Daraa on Saturday, a symbolic mosque was destroyed tumbling to the ground, CNN reported.
Daraa, and specifically the mosque - the "Omari" mosque - served as one of many central meeting places for protesters and rebel forces.
Firefights that raged throughout Syria reportedly claimed the lives of 115 people, including 12 who died in Daraa.
Syrian activists claimed that the government forces have used an increasing amount of the controversial phosphorus bombs, which cause painful chemical burns.
Click for full JPost coverage
Click for full JPost coverage
According to the report, a fierce battle raged in Damascus, Syria's capital, where there were unconfirmed reports of heavy shelling.
The report added that the Italian Foreign Ministry announced the release of four Italian journalists on Saturday that had been held captive for over a week. The freed journalists were taken to Turkey upon release.