NEW : 168 dead across Syria , mostly in the Damascus area , an opposition group says . About 40,000 civilians have been killed since the first protests sprung up about 20 months ago against al-Assad 's government , according to the opposition Center for Documentation of Violations in Syria . Comment: State-run media report on military operations targeting `` al Qaeda terrorists '' Witness says rockets fell close to a rebel command center .
NEW : 168 dead across Syria , mostly in the Damascus area , an opposition group says . Comment: State-run media report on military operations targeting `` al Qaeda terrorists '' Witness says rockets fell close to a rebel command center .