Ever after the government forces and the rebels agreed to a U.N.-proposed ceasefire, intense fights between rebels and Syrian government forces have been reported near Damascus.
Opposing activists claimed that at least five people were killed when the official forces fired heavy tank and rocket barrages at a Damascus suburb on Thursday.
Syria's government and the main rebel force, the Free Syrian Army confirmed on Thursday that they would halt military operations during the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, which runs from Friday to Monday.
Ttension continues to prevail over their commitment to ceasefire. According to CNN, "the government is hell bend on its right to respond to "terrorist" attacks, including bombings, as well as 'terrorists' trying to reinforce their positions; and to protect neighbouring borders crossed by 'terrorists.'"
On the other side, the report quotes a Free Syrian Army general as saying that his fighters had agreed to halt military operations if the Syrian government were to do so as well. But he said he doubted that the truce would hold. However, some of the rebel groups have not accepted the deal to halt military operations.
Rebels overran two army roadblocks in Harasta following which severe fighting erupted between the two sides. Situated just northeast of Damascus, Harasta links the capital to the country's north.
The 19-month-old rebellion against President Bashar al-Assad has left more than 35,000 people dead and has destroyed many towns and neighborhoods.
According to the watchdog group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, civilians constitute the vast majority of those killed (24 964). Besides, thousands of people are reported missing ever since the anti-regime revolt began in March 2011.
Earlier on Wednesday, Lakhdar Brahimi, the United Nations and Arab League envoy to Syria, had announced that the Syrian government has agreed to a ceasefire during the Eid al-Adha holiday. He said the temporary ceasefire would make way for further peace talks and prolonged halting of military activism in the country.
