On December 8, according to CNN, local residents said that with the collapse of the Syrian government's defenses, the Syrian opposition appears to have entered Damascus. "Rebels have appeared in the town of Barzeh in Damascus, and clashes are currently taking place," residents said. "I saw rebel fighters moving through the inner alleys of Barzeh towards Police Club Street, and I could hear very loud clashes. Electricity was cut off, the network was weak, and people had to stay at home."