Thousands Flee Damascus

As government forces say they've retaken part of Damascus from rebels, between 8,500 and 30,000 Syrians have fled the violence and into neighboring Lebanon in the last two days. United Nations refugee agency estimates there are already 112,000 Syrian refugees in surrounding countries, three-quarters of which are women and children. On Thursday, rebel fighters seized five border crossings and the day before had bombed security headquarter buildings, killing top security officials. The day's death toll was reported to be 300--possibly the highest since fighting began in March 2011.