Syrian army fighting to repel offensive attack by terrorists

There are reports of fierce fighting and clashes after foreign-backed Takfiri terrorists try to enter an eastern suburb of the Syrian capital in violation of a nationwide ceasefire.

Anti-government sources and state media are reporting clashes between troops and armed groups as well as shelling in two neighborhoods of Damascus.

Syrian state news agency SANA said Friday Takfiri terrorists shelled government-held areas in the eastern neighborhood of Qaboun, wounding three people.

The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, based in London, said Friday's fighting is concentrated in the neighborhood of Jobar, next to Qaboun.

According to the French news agency AFP, the Syrian army is blocking an attack by armed groups that tried to enter the capital's east via Jobar.

A barrage of rocket fire and shelling could be heard coming from the Jobar district which is held by militants, it said.

The offensive comes after the Russian Defense Ministry said it had recorded dozens of violations of the ceasefire agreement. Moscow also said units of terrorists "controlled by the US" have intensified their shelling of civilian residential areas.

On Thursday, Russia said the United States was using "a verbal smokescreen" to hide its reluctance to fulfill its part of the ceasefire agreement.

After the fourth day of the ceasefire, only Syria's government forces are observing the truce, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

SS