At least 27 people were killed and 97 wounded in a double car bombing in Damascus on Saturday morning. The bombs went off outside a military intelligence installation and a police building.

Pictures aired on Syrian TV showed major destruction at the scene of the blasts, including buildings torn apart and crushed cars.

Syrian officials have accused rebel forces of carrying out the attacks. Rebels have accused the government of carrying out the attacks against its own soldiers in an attempt to harm the rebel cause.

A Syrian official who spoke to AP on condition of anonymity said there may have been a third bombing in Damascus. The alleged third bombing targeted a military bus, he said.

Syrian President Bashar Assad has been fighting attempts to challenge his regime for a year. More than 7,000 people have been killed in fighting in that time, with violence growing increasingly severe.

Israel is attempting to offer humanitarian aid to civilian victims.