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Prominent Syrian comedian killed in Damascus fighting

Associated Press
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This citizen journalism image provided by Aleppo Media Center AMC which has been authenticated based on its contents and other AP reporting, shows an unexploded rocket from a Syrian warplane, in the neighborhood of Karam Alqasir, near Aleppo International Airport, in Aleppo, Syria, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013. A car bomb near the Damascus headquarters of Syria's ruling party killed scores on Thursday, while a government airstrike on a rebel field hospital in southern Daraa left several dead, opposition activists and state media reported. (AP Photo/Aleppo Media Center AMC) (The Associated Press)

Displaced Syrian children play with cleaning tools in the Azaz camp for displaced people, north of Aleppo province, Syria, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013. According to Syrian activists the number of people in the Azaz camp has grown by 3,000 in the last weeks due to heavier shelling by government forces. (AP Photo/Manu Brabo) (The Associated Press)

A displaced Syrian boy is seen at the top of an olive tree near the Azaz camp for displaced people, north of Aleppo province, Syria, Friday, Feb. 22, 2013. According to Syrian activists the number of people in the Azaz camp has grown by 3,000 in the last weeks due to heavier shelling by government forces. (AP Photo/Manu Brabo) (The Associated Press)

A prominent Syrian comedian has been killed in Damascus after apparently being caught in the crossfire between rebels and government troops.

The SANA state news agency says Yassin Bakoush was killed Sunday by a rebel mortar round that landed on his car in the Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp in southern Damascus.

The anti-regime Syrian Observatory for Human Rights activist group says Bakoush was killed when a rocket-propelled grenade launched by government troops slammed into his car.

The part of Damascus where Bakoush was killed has been hit by fierce clashes between rebels and regime forces in recent months.

The 75-year-old Bakoush was known for playing characters that were likeable but naive and dim-witted.

SANA said Bakoush is survived by11 children.