Syrian activists say there are heavy clashes underway on the outskirts of Damascus between President Bashar Assad's troops and rebels trying to topple him.
The activists say both sides have sustained losses in Wednesday's fighting.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the clashes are focused on opposition strongholds around the capital, including the suburbs of Daraya and Harasta.
The group says at least 28 rebels and 13 soldiers have been killed there.
Fighting is also raging around the northern city of Aleppo and in the southern Daraa province.
The government brought reinforcements to the south to regain control of areas the rebels recently captured between the Jordanian border and Damascus, the seat of Assad's power. The opposition fighters hope to eventually storm the capital from the strategic province.
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