UN monitors have entered Haffa, in western Syria, days after violent clashes forced them away from the town.

Observers tried to reach Haffa on Tuesday, amid fears a massacre was taking place, but fled after crowds surrounded and fired on their vehicles.

A Reuters photographer travelling with the UN convoy described the town as nearly deserted, with burnt-down buildings and abandoned shops.

Earlier a car bomb was detonated near the capital, Damascus.

The blast killed the bomber and injured 14 people in the suburb of Sayyida Zainab.

The area is known for housing one of Shia Islam’s holiest sites, the tomb of Zaynab bint Ali, the Prophet Muhammad’s granddaughter.

Explosions appeared to have also taken place at some point in Haffa, with the Reuters photographer saying the town showed signs of heavy bombardment