Bombs planted by rebels blew up on Tuesday, Sept 25, at a school used by security forces and pro-government militias in the Syrian capital of Damascus, activists and rebels said, according to Reuters.

"At exactly 9:35 am, seven improvised devices were set off in two explosions to target a school used for weekly planning meetings between shabbiha militias and security officers," said Abu Moaz, a leader of Ansar al-Islam, one of the rebel groups that have joined the 18-month-old revolt against President Bashar al-Assad.

Residents said smoke could be seen rising from the area in southeastern Damascus. Rebels said they expected a high casualty toll, but had no confirmed reports yet.