Syria Civil War Live Updates: Syrian State Media Denies Damascus Under Attack as Rebels Advance

Syrian state media have said that claims of explosions at General Staff headquarters in Damascus were “lies” that had been shared to cause panic among civilians, as opposition fighters advance on a third city. The rebels, led by the insurgent group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), are advancing on country’s third-largest city, Hom, one day after the fighters seized control of Hama, Syria’s fourth-largest city. Clashes have been reported in central al-Suwayda, local reports that the Military Intelligence Directorate headquarters are surrounded. HTS, which has been at the forefront of the assault, has vowed to march south toward Homs and ultimately Damascus, President Bashar al-Assad’s seat of power.

Follow Newsweek’s live blog for updates.