Syrian government troops have killed dozens of what state television Thursday termed as "terrorists" near the capital Damascus.
Daraya, on the outskirts of Damascus, has been the scene of some of the worst violence in Syria’s 21-month conflict.
"The Syrian army managed in an operation that lasted two days in the area of Daraya to eliminate a terrorist group and liberate civilians who had been used by terrorists as human shields," reported the broadcaster, referring to rebels fighting to oust the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.
Mortar shells were Thursday fired at a government facility and a private building in the district of Mezze in Damascus, said the opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. It gave no casualty figure.
Elsewhere, rebel fighters have taken control of a government artillery base in the eastern province of Deir al-Zour and killed at least six government soldiers, reported opposition activists.
At least 39,000 people have been killed in Syria since an uprising started in March last year against al-Assad's rule, according to the opposition. Independent verification of reports coming out of Syria is hampered by government restrictions on the movement of journalists.