1 August 2012 Last updated at 04:01 ET
Soldiers were photographed on the streets of Jobar, not far from the Old City
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Fighting between Syrian security forces and rebels has been reported for the first time near two Christian areas in the Old City of the capital, Damascus.
One soldier had been killed outside Bab Touma and Bab Sharqi, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
Gunfire and explosions were also heard on Baghdad street, in the city centre.
Meanwhile, Amnesty International says in a report that government forces committed crimes against humanity this month in the second city, Aleppo.
In the report, based on research carried out in May, the rights group appealed to the UN Security Council to refer Syria to the International Criminal Court and impose an arms embargo on the country.
Amnesty accuses security forces and pro-government militiamen, known as shabiha, of firing on peaceful protesters and bystanders, including children. It also says medical teams were targeted and those arrested were often tortured.
In Aleppo itself, rebel sources say fighter jets and helicopters have again been pounding rebel positions as the battle for control of the city continues.
Activists have also told the BBC that a large military column is heading towards Aleppo to reinforce the army units engaging the rebels. However, this has not been confirmed by the government or independent sources.
Continue reading the main story
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- Activist 'a symbol in death'
Fighting between Syrian security forces and rebels has been reported for the first time near two Christian areas in the Old City of the capital, Damascus.
One soldier had been killed outside Bab Touma and Bab Sharqi, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
Gunfire and explosions were also heard on Baghdad street, in the city centre.
Meanwhile, Amnesty International says in a report that government forces committed crimes against humanity this month in the second city, Aleppo.
In the report, based on research carried out in May, the rights group appealed to the UN Security Council to refer Syria to the International Criminal Court and impose an arms embargo on the country.
Amnesty accuses security forces and pro-government militiamen, known as shabiha, of firing on peaceful protesters and bystanders, including children. It also says medical teams were targeted and those arrested were often tortured.
In Aleppo itself, rebel sources say fighter jets and helicopters have again been pounding rebel positions as the battle for control of the city continues.
Activists have also told the BBC that a large military column is heading towards Aleppo to reinforce the army units engaging the rebels. However, this has not been confirmed by the government or independent sources.