Explosions rock Syria's major cities

Heavy shelling and explosions rocked all of Syria's major cities. Homs. Damascus and in Aleppo locals assessed the damage in the aftermath of military strikes according to this video posted to a social media website.

Reuters cannot independently verify reports that most of the victims of the bombardment were women and children.

In the capital --- the bloody aftermath of an attack on a mosque that killed at least 40 people including prominent imam Mohammed al-Buti. The 83-year-old religious leader is reviled by the opposition who see him as a mouthpiece for President Bashar al Assad. Rescue workers on the scene shortly after the blast. It isn't clear at this point whether the attack was caused by a mortar or car bomb.

The multiple explosions and fighting throughout Syria come just days after allegations that chemicals weapons had been used --- possibly signaling an alarming escalation in a war that has already claimed 70,000 lives.