Internet and mobile communication are back on in the Syrian capital of Damascus, after being cut off for two days by the authoritarian regime of Bashar al-Assad.
The tactic of shutting down communications is common before launching attacks against civilians, as it prevents rebels and protesters from coordinating a response, and keeps footage of atrocities from reaching the outside world.
Activists who are able to communicate say the government is bombarding the eastern part of the city.
"Syrian regular forces are trying to control the areas surrounding the capital and clashed with rebel fighters," said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
On Thursday, United States-based networking firm Renesys, which monitors internet connectivity around the world, said traffic to all IP addresses in Syria dropped to zero.
Over 40,000 people have been killed by Syrian troops in the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad in the 20 months since fighting began.
"As fighting intensifies, particularly around Damascus, we are extremely worried that the news that internet and mobile phone services appear to have been cut throughout Syria may herald the intention of the Syrian authorities to shield the truth of what is happening in the country from the outside world," said Ann Harrison, Middle East and North Africa deputy director director of the human rights group Amnesty International.
Heavy fighting continued last week in northern parts of the country, as rebels moved closer to taking over the international airport near Aleppo. Two car bombs also killed a senor member of President Assad's Baath party.
Similar internet blackouts occurred in Libya and Egypt during pro-democracy uprisings last year. Protesters quickly found ways to circumvent the blocks, though that often involved using cell phones to communicate.
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