Syrian activists are reporting a new massacre as part of a wave of violence in rebel strongholds near the capital, Damascus. At least 51 people have reportedly been killed and scores wounded in the Damascus suburb of Douma. Activists say the shredded bodies of up to 20 members of the same family were found after a savage attack by pro-government militia. Another 10 people were reportedly killed at a checkpoint as they tried to flee. In an interview with Iranian state television, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad vowed to continue the crackdown despite foreign pressure to step down.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad: “Foreign pressure will not have an influence on our stance. We have been under pressure for a long time, and it did not have an effect in the past, and it will not have any influence in the future.”