Details of the story quickly spread over social media, which has been an invaluable tool for organizers of the ongoing Arab Spring uprisings taking place across the Middle East.
Amid the chaos, Syrians used social media to give the outside world a glimpse of the deteriorating situation in the capital. Those outside of Syria used Twitter to collect information and comment on the events unfolding within the country.
The rebel Free Syrian Army, which has been gaining strength and support over the past few weeks, is seeking to overthrow the government of longtime President Bashar al-Assad. Assad assumed control of the country in 2000 when his father, former president Hafez al-Assad, died after ruling for 29 years.
Mashable has collected a sample of tweets and YouTube videos that illustrate the still-developing story, which you can view below:
[View the story "Suicide Bombing, Shelling in Syria Capital" on Storify]