Helicopter attack reveals reality of Syrian war

Life in war-torn Damascus has been captured by a cameraman from the balcony of an apartment building in the Syrian capital.

The cameraman, who works for the Shaam Network, was crouched on the balcony watching a military helicopter overhead when he started filming.

A close-up shows a series of bombs falling, before he zooms out as they explode upon hitting the ground.

The man is so close to the explosion he is covered in smoke and dust seconds after impact.

Civil war has raged in Syria since March 2011, killing more than 200,000 and forcing more than three million to flee the country, according to the United Nations.