Scores killed in fighting near Damascus

An NGO says at least 22 people, including rebels, and "dozens" of pro-regime troops, have been killed in fierce fighting near the Syrian capital.

Scores of Syrian rebels and forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad have reportedly been killed in fierce fighting south of Damascus, where the army pressed a major offensive.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said fighting between rebel brigades and regular troops, supported by militia and elements of the Lebanese Shi'ite movement Hezbollah, took place on Wednesday as government warplanes pounded the areas of Husseiniyah, Al-Thiyabiyeh and Bouaydah.

"At least 22 people, the majority of them rebels, including a commander," were killed, the Britain-based group said, without elaborating.

At the same time, it said "dozens" of regime forces were killed.

Earlier, the Observatory said regular troops had reinforced their control of two villages separating Thiyabiyeh and Bouaydah.

For its part, the Local Coordination Committees, a group of militants on the ground, said the Abu Fadel Abbas Brigade composed mostly of Iraqi Shi'ites, along with Hezbollah fighters and elite troops were carrying out a major offensive.

State news agency SANA said government forces had "tightened their control over the town of Husseiniyah and the outskirts of Al-Thiyabiyeh."

The two towns are located near the Shi'ite pilgrimage site of Sayyida Zeinab in the southern outskirts of Damascus.

Clashes has been reported in the area for months and fighters from Hezbollah, which backs Assad's regime, have been dispatched to protect the site.