Syrian Forces Clash With ‘Terrorist Band’.

Residents of the area had reported explosions and gunfire in Mazza, on the western edge of the city. Smoke was seen billowing from the area, which security forces sealed off, the residents said.

Al-Jazeera reported that car bombs were used in the attack and that heavy exchanges of gunfire were continuing late into the night.

Al-Arabiya quoted a witness saying more than 15 explosions were heard.

A Saudi consulate, the British ambassador’s home, offices of the Iranian state news agency, the Iranian Embassy and the Canadian Embassy are in Mazza.

In London, British Foreign Office officials said an explosion and shooting was heard near the Iranian ambassador’s residence and in the vicinity of the British ambassador’s residence.

“At the moment, there are no injuries to U.K. Embassy staff. Our staff are in the process of assessing the situation,” one official said on condition of anonymity.

Another official later said the attack did not appear to be aimed at the British ambassador’s residence.

An Iranian Embassy in Damascus, speaking to Lebanon’s al-Manar television station which is run by the pro-Iranian guerrilla group Hezbollah, said the Iranian Embassy was not involved in any attack.

Syrian political analyst Imad Shuaibi told The Associated Press he had learned that a two men “attacked with hand grenades and gunfire near the Iranian and Canadian embassies.”

“One was killed and the other was captured,” Shuaibi said.