Gunmen Kill Syrian General in Capital

Here's yet another milestone that doesn't bode well for Syria: Gunmen killed a Syrian general as he left his home in the capital of Damascus today, reports AP. The attack on Brig. Gen. Issa al-Khouli marks the first time a high-ranking military official has been killed in Damascus, a sign that the violence that has plagued cities such as Homs might be headed there.

In fact, fighting was reported today near the capital in Zabadani and Douma, reports al-Jazeera, in addition to heavy clashes and house-to-house raids in Homs and Hama. Click to read how some US officials agree with Bashar al-Assad that al-Qaeda is playing a role in the violence. (More Syria stories.)