Syria: Violent Clashes Around Damascus
Heavy fighting between Syrian army soldiers and rebel fighters reported in Damascus and its suburbs early Wednesday. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the rebels inflicted heavy damages to government forces. Government forces lost about 170 members in the past week during heavy fighting in the country, noted the Observatory.
In Damascus, violent clashes took place between rebels and government forces deployed at checkpoints in the neighborhoods of Qaboune and Teshreen. Gunfire was also heard in the district of Jobar. Moreover, “heavy fighting took place in Harasta where rebel fighters have clashed with members of the of the Political Security, and Intelligence” in this town, located 10 kilometers northeast of Damascus. Fighting also took place in the nearby town of Duma, Irbine, Zamalka, and Jdaidet Artouz, near Damascus.
Elsewhere, a student was killed in shelling overnight in Hreitane in the Aleppo region, where shelling continued Wednesday morning. In Hama, further south, one civilian was killed by gunfire, according to SOHR. In the province of Latakia, rebel fighters took control of the headquarters of the political security and police after heavy fighting in the town of Selma.
On Tuesday, violence killed 55 people across Syria: 26 soldiers, 19 civilians and 10 rebels.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia urged on Tuesday Russia to stop supporting the regime of Bashar al-Assad and to promote a peaceful political transition in Syria. The kingdom’s foreign minister, Saud al-Faisal had earlier accused Assad of trying to “buy time.”
