Syrian army, rebels fight on south of Damascus

Activists say clashes have flared up between Syrian troops and rebels on the southern outskirts of Damascus as part of a weeks-long government push to advance on opposition-held areas.

The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says fighting is underway around the rebel-held Hejeira suburb on Tuesday.

The Observatory also says clashes are taking place near the government-controlled Sayyida Zainab neighborhood, known for a famous Shiite shrine.

Government troops and pro-Assad fighters have seized four other nearby neighborhoods in recent weeks.