Syrian National Security chief General Hisham Ikhtiyar succumbed to his wounds on Friday from the explosion that targeted the headquarters of the National Security in Damascus two days ago

Syrian National Security chief General Hisham Ikhtiyar succumbed to his wounds on Friday from the explosion that targeted the headquarters of the National Security in Damascus two days ago.

The blast which occurred on Wednesday also killed Syrian Defense Minister Dawoud Rajiha, his deputy Assef Shawkat and Assistant Vice President Hassan Turkmani.

Concerning developments in the field, Syrian security forces announced full control over the Al-Maydan and Al-Qadam neighborhoods in the capital, Damascus, and swept over the armed men who entered there earlier.

The Syrian state television said that the competent authorities in the neighborhood seized large quantities of weapons and machine guns, explosive belts, bombs and military uniforms, RPG launchers and communications equipment.
       
Syrian Deputy Defense Minister told Al-Manar TV that "the situation on the ground in Damascus is very good and reassuring,” announcing that good news will be released very soon.

The Syrian army has stepped up its operations in some neighborhoods that had been infiltrated by armed groups. Also broadcast on Syrian television showed a number of insurgents dead with their weapons.

For its part the Syrian Information Ministry rebuffed the claims attributed to the Russian ambassador in Paris that Syrian President Bashar Assad has accepted that he leaves power, but in an orderly way.