Syrian warplanes hammered opposition-held neighbourhoods of Damascus on Monday after regime forces pushed back a surprise assault that saw rebels try to fight their way into the city centre.
Rebels and allied jehadists, led by former Al-Qaeda affiliate Fateh al-Sham Front, launched an attack On Monday on Government positions in east Damascus, initially scoring key gains. But forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad drove them back by nightfall and began a fierce bombing campaign this morning.
"There have been intense air strikes since dawn on opposition-held positions in Jobar from which the offensive was launched," said Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.