Violence came to the front door of Bashar al-Assad’s regime Saturday as activists in the country said the Syrian capital saw one of its worst nights of bloodshed in more than a year. Troops loyal to Assad also reportedly shelled the city of Daraa in the south of the country, killing 18 people, including 12 women and children. According to the United Nations, more than 9,000 people have been killed in the continuing violence that began 15 months ago after a popular uprising against Assad’s regime. A resident of the capital city told the Associated Press on Saturday that Syrians spent a “night of fear” as gunshots and explosions were heard in the city, which is under military control.
