Tue Jan 22, 2013 20:40:12
The Syrian army has pounded militant positions in several areas in Damascus province as part of its campaign against foreign-backed militants operating in the country.
The military operations were held in the towns of Daraya and Moadamiyat al-Sham, southwest of the capital, and Yalda and Beit Sahem, just to the city's south.
There are also reports of clashes between militants and Palestinian refugees inside Yarmouk camp in the capital, there is no word yet on the number of casualties.
"The situation in the Yarmouk camp, where armed men have flocked, is still tense, and clashes between Palestinian Popular Committees and armed groups have continued," Al-Watan newspaper reported.
Syrian troops have also clashed with militants in Homs and Aleppo, inflicting heavy losses on them.
On Monday, more than 50 people were killed and scores of others were injured in a car bomb explosion in the town of Salmiyeh in the western province of Hama.
According to Syria's official news agency, SANA, most of the victims were civilians and that women and children were among the dead.
Syria has been experiencing unrest since March 2011. Many people, including large numbers of army and security personnel, have been killed in the turmoil.
According to a UN report, militants from 29 countries have filtered into Syria to fight against the government, most of whom are extremist Salafists.
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