A day after President Obama announced the US would recognize Syrian opposition as the official government of the country, the current government began firing ballistic missiles at citizens and rebel forces.

The missiles are described as “Scud-type missiles” used by the Iraq troops against US forces in Operation Iraqi Freedom. There were no initial indications of chemical weapons being used in the missiles.

US observers have also seen the government using what’s been described as a “napalm-like” bomb that is hitting both rebel encampments and residential neighborhoods.

The rebels launched an assault on al-Assad’s Interior Ministry setting off three bombs, including one car bomb, that virtually destroyed the building. Government officials would not give specific numbers but reported a “number of deaths and injuries.”

Doctors Without Borders has stated that because of intense fighting in the city of Deir Ezzor between government troops and rebels tens of thousands of people are trapped including many sick and wounded.