25 Syrian soldiers killed in Damascus clashes

At least 25 Syrian soldiers were killed and dozens of others wounded Wednesday in clashes with extremist groups in the eastern suburb of the capital Damascus, a monitoring group reported Thursday.

The soldiers were killed in intense battles with the Al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front and similar groups in the eastern suburb of Jobar, a main rebel stronghold, about two km from the eastern gate of the ancient walled city of Damascus, Xinhua reported citing the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which relies on a network of activists on the ground.

The observatory said the Syrian army fired three surface-to-surface missiles on Jobar. The air force also carried out four air raids on Jobar. There are no reports yet of casualties from those raids.

The battle to recapture Jobar has a special significance, as the area is on the eastern gate of the heavily fortified capital.

The rebels, who have been entrenched for years in that area, have repeatedly attempted to breach Damascus.

Militant groups have reportedly dug a series of tunnels, taking advantage of the underground sewage and drainage network to move between different parts of the areas they hold in the sprawling eastern al-Ghouta countryside.

Signifying the importance of the battles in Jobar, President Bashar al-Assad made a rare and surprising visit to the frontline in Jobar overnight.

Battles in Jobar have flared since early Wednesday, with sounds of shelling and gunfire rattling nearby areas.