(Zaman Al Wasl)- Powerful Islamist Failaq al-Rahman rebel group, in statement issued Monday, said at least 39 regime troops have been killed in its surprise attack on northeast Damascus.
The regime army drove rebels back by nightfall and began a fierce bombing campaign on Monday morning, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and state-run TV said.
Citizen journalists and activists denied regime reports of pushing back rebels, saying they will not reveal details about the ongoing clashes over rebel safety and to protect the attack plans.
On Sunday, opposition fighters seized several buildings in Jobar before advancing into the neighboring Abbasid Square area -- the first time in two years that the opposition had advanced so close to the capital's center.
Meanwhile, regime warplanes have pounded opposition-held suburbs of Damascus with more than 40 air strikes, killing at least 13 civilians.
"There have been intense air strikes since dawn on opposition-held positions in Jobar from which the offensive was launched," said Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Observatory.
"The government and allied forces have retaken the initiative and are striking the groups that launched yesterday's assault," he added.
Abdel Rahman said it was unclear whether regime forces or their Russian allies were carrying out Monday's raids on Jobar.
Control of Jobar -- which has been a battleground for more than two years -- is divided between rebels and allied extremists on one side, and government forces on the other.
Sniper fire and air strikes were heard across the city on Sunday as civilians cowered inside their homes and schools announced they would close because of the violence.
But by Monday, the front line had been pushed back, and AFP correspondents said activity in the typically bustling Abbasid Square was returning to normal levels.
Opposition forces still controlled several key points in an industrial zone lying between Jobar and the besieged northeastern district of Qabun to the north, according to the Britain-based monitor.
Syria's conflict erupted in March 2011 with protests against Assad's rule but has morphed over the years into a complex civil war.
More than 465,000 people have been killed and millions more have been displaced by the conflict. (With AFP)
The regime army drove rebels back by nightfall and began a fierce bombing campaign on Monday morning, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and state-run TV said.
Citizen journalists and activists denied regime reports of pushing back rebels, saying they will not reveal details about the ongoing clashes over rebel safety and to protect the attack plans.
On Sunday, opposition fighters seized several buildings in Jobar before advancing into the neighboring Abbasid Square area -- the first time in two years that the opposition had advanced so close to the capital's center.
Meanwhile, regime warplanes have pounded opposition-held suburbs of Damascus with more than 40 air strikes, killing at least 13 civilians.
"There have been intense air strikes since dawn on opposition-held positions in Jobar from which the offensive was launched," said Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Observatory.
"The government and allied forces have retaken the initiative and are striking the groups that launched yesterday's assault," he added.
Abdel Rahman said it was unclear whether regime forces or their Russian allies were carrying out Monday's raids on Jobar.
Control of Jobar -- which has been a battleground for more than two years -- is divided between rebels and allied extremists on one side, and government forces on the other.
Sniper fire and air strikes were heard across the city on Sunday as civilians cowered inside their homes and schools announced they would close because of the violence.
But by Monday, the front line had been pushed back, and AFP correspondents said activity in the typically bustling Abbasid Square was returning to normal levels.
Opposition forces still controlled several key points in an industrial zone lying between Jobar and the besieged northeastern district of Qabun to the north, according to the Britain-based monitor.
Syria's conflict erupted in March 2011 with protests against Assad's rule but has morphed over the years into a complex civil war.
More than 465,000 people have been killed and millions more have been displaced by the conflict. (With AFP)
Comments About This Article
Please fill the fields below.