Syrian forces and rebels have clashed in several neighborhoods of Damascus, and helicopters are reported to have fired on targets from the air, after three top government officials died in a bomb attack Wednesday.

Syrian state television says a bomb exploded during a high-level meeting at the National Security building in Damascus, killing Defense Minister Daoud Rajha and Deputy Defense Minister Assef Shawkat, brother-in-law of President Bashar al-Assad.

Syrian General Hassan Turkmani, a former defense minister, is reported to have died of injuries from the bombing.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights tells VOA close to 100 people were killed in anti-government unrest across Syria on Wednesday, including 18 in Damascus.

The rebel Free Syrian Army has claimed responsibility for the bombing. Reuters news agency reports the rebel group Liwa al-Islam also claimed responsibility.

The Syrian military has named Armed Forces Chief of Staff Fahed al- Jasem el-Freij as the new defense minister and vowed to “continue fighting terrorism.”