A bomb reportedly placed in the basement of a government building on the outskirts of Damascus killed 31 people including four generals loyal to President Bashar al-Assad.  Planting explosives in the basement means Syrian opposition fighters were able to not just breach security, but travel at will within the buildings.

The government has yet to confirm this.  But the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights – A British-based group sympathetic to the rebels – says the in the suburb of Harasta, northeast of the capital, completely leveled the building. 

“Only the night staff were on duty when the explosion occurred. If the bomb had gone off an hour before, there could have been up to 200 dead,” said the observatory’s head, Rami Abdel Rahman.

In recent weeks, forces loyal to Assad have been able to retake areas in the north.  Opposition fighters have resorted to bomb attacks and mortar strikes into government-held territory, including the capital.