Syrian activists: New airstrikes hit Damascus suburb day after government airstrikes killed 45

BEIRUT – Opposition activists say Syrian government helicopter gunships have struck a suburb of the capital, Damascus, a day after airstrikes on nearby areas killed at least 45 people.

Two activist groups — the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Local Coordination Committees — say Monday's strikes targeted the southwestern suburb of Daraya.

There was no immediate word on casualties.

The attacks come after government airstrikes and bombardment Sunday of several eastern Damascus suburbs killed at least 45, according to the Observatory. The LCC said 49 were killed in strikes in the Douma, Saqba and Arbeen suburbs.

Syria's state-run news agency and residents said Sunday's airstrikes followed volleys of mortar shells fired into Damascus by rebels in the area that had killed three people, including a child, and wounded 33.