Violent clashes near Damascus, rebels thwart Assad offensive

  (Zaman Al Wasl) – Violent clashes still ongoing between Syrian regime forces and the Islamic battalions in the farmlands of Kerdi Hill near the city of Douma, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Wednesday.

In his turn, Islamic Front spokesman, Captain Islam Alloush, said Islam Army fighters thwarted regime offensive near Jobar neighborhood as clashes still ongoing in different fronts in the capital suburbs.

For months, Bashar al-Assad’s forces backed by the Lebanese Shiite group, Hezbollah has been battling to recapture Eastern Ghouta suburbs.

While the army remains in control of Damascus, rebels still hold a number of towns and villages on the outskirts, despite a suffocating blockade and frequent air strikes and shelling. 

More than 191,000 people killed and over 10 million forced to flee their homes.