A car bomb strikes central Damascus, killing more than 50 people.

Hundreds were wounded when the bomb exploded near Baath party offices and the Russian Embassy.

Central Damascus has been relatively insulated from almost two years of unrest and civil war. But the bloodshed has shattered suburbs around the capital.

Rebels have attacked President Bashar al-Assad's power base for nearly a month, and struck with devastating bombs over the last year.

An al Qaeda-linked rebel group has claimed responsibility for several of those bombs.

The government said Thursday's attack was a suicide bombing conducted by "terrorists" battling Assad.

In a war that has shattered homes and claimed the lives of at least 70,000 people, there are few signs of hope with no resolution in sight.