HispanicBusiness

Rebels have blamed the reported massacre of at least 25 civilians including women and children on militias allied with embattled Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, whose government alleges "terrorists" were behind the bloodbath.

State television pointed the finger at the rebel Liwa al-Islam group for the alleged massacre in the city of Duma north of the Syrian capital Damascus.

Liwa al-Islam has in the past claimed several attacks in Damascus. The Syrian government calls the mainly Sunni rebels and Salafite groups seeking to overthrow the authoritarian al-Assad "terrorists".

The United Nations estimates that over 30,000 people have been killed in the 19-month conflict which has become a civil war while international peace initiatives have failed.

Atrocities are being committed by both sides, according to observers.