Government forces launch airstrike on rural Damascus as Syrians take...

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As Syrians voted on Tuesday in an election expected to deliver an overwhelming victory for President Bashar al-Assad, video posted to social media websites showed the conflict is far from over.

One video said to be shot on June 3 showed a blast in rural Damascus said to be the result of an explosive barrel dropped from government planes flying overhead.

Reuters is unable to independently verify the content of this video, which has been obtained from a social media website.

Opponents have dismissed the election as a charade in the midst of Syria's devastating civil war and Islamist insurgents battling to overthrow the 48-year-old president, who has ruled Syria since succeeding his father 14 years ago, dismissed the vote as "illegitimate."

The Islamic Front pledged not to target polling stations "because we decided not to involve civilians in the conflict." It urged other rebels to do the same.

Meanwhile, Damascus residents said mortar shells struck residential areas in the capital on Tuesday, most likely fired from rebel suburbs.

There were no immediate reports of casualties.

Rebel rocket fire on government-controlled areas of Aleppo killed 50 people over the weekend, while barrel bombs dropped by army helicopters on rebel-held areas of Aleppo have killed nearly 2,000 people this year, a monitoring group said.

Video said to be shot on Monday (June 2) and uploaded to social media websites showed armed rebels firing in the direction of buildings set to be under the control of forces loyal to Assad.

The Syrian president is running against two relatively unknown challengers who were approved by a parliament packed with his supporters, the first time in half a century Syrians have been offered a choice of candidates.

REUTERS

Government forces launch airstrike on rural Damascus as Syrians take to polls - amvid