Syrian forces engaged in retaking rebel-held areas in the country’s largest city of Aleppo

Syrian government forces have clashed with armed groups in the southern suburbs of Damascus and have also engaged in retaking rebel-held areas in the country’s largest city of Aleppo.

On Tuesday, fighting erupted between Syrian soldiers and gunmen in the Hajar al-Aswad district in the capital with fresh efforts on the part of the Syrian troopers to clear residential areas of the armed rebels fighting the government.

Meanwhile, Syrian security forces inflicted heavy losses on the armed rebels in Aleppo on the same day with all-out offensive measures against the armed gangs in various cities across the country.

Reports say clashes started on Saturday in a number of areas in the north of Aleppo, mainly at Salahuddien Square. Confrontations continued on Sunday in more areas.

The Syrian Army has also been able to retake control of several neighborhoods in the capital, including Tadamon, Qaboon, and Midan.

The major offensive against the armed groups comes a few days after a terrorist bomb blast left Defense Minister Dawood Rajha and several other high-ranking officials dead.

Damascus blames “outlaws, saboteurs, and armed terrorist groups” for the unrest, asserting that it is being orchestrated from abroad. The West and the Syrian opposition accuse the government of killing the protesters.