Fighting is reported in Aleppo, where rebels made gains before the ceasefire. (watchsmart/Flickr)

Despite the announced four-day religious ceasefire, reports of fighting and violence in Syria continue.

At least five people died in Damascus when a car bomb exploded near a children's playground. The attack wounded more than 30 people. Meanwhile, there are reports of fighting between government and rebel forces in Homs and in the country's north, although at a lower intensity than the fighting leading up to the ceasefire.

The two sides say that the other one is to blame for fighting. The ceasefire is unmonitored and reports are unverified. Syrian Local Coordination Committees said that 19 people died today around the country.

The Eid al-Adha ceasefire was proposed by United Nations and Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi and agreed upon by Assad's government and the Free Syrian Army. The ceasefire did not stop protests, and Syrians rallied against Assad in Damascus, Aleppo and elsewhere.

Assad himself made a rare television appearance, being filmed at Eid prayers in Damascus. The imam there called for an end to the civil war, saying the “enemies of Islam and of Syria” were trying to sow sectarian tension.

At least 32,000 people have died since protests against the government broke out in May of last year. Assad's forces have commonly encircled towns and cities, using heavy artillery to target both rebel fighters and civilians trapped by the army.

No long-term ceasefire has been agreed on after the Eid.

Read more of Neon Tommy's coverage of Syria here.

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