People walk at al-Bzoria market in old Damascus, in this file picture taken April 17, 2012.KHALED AL-HARIRI/Reuters
A suicide bombing at the National Security building in Damascus has killed Syria's defence minister Dawoud Rajha, as well as President Bashar Assad's brother-in-law, Gen. Assef Shawkat.
The bomber struck during a meeting of Cabinet ministers and senior security officials. Mr. Rajha is the most senior government official to be killed in the Syrian civil war as rebels battle to oust Mr. Assad.
The Globe's Affan Chowdhry is liveblogging the latest developments from the bombings.
Mobile users can follow along by clicking here.