BEIRUT — Fresh clashes between Syrian government troops and rebel forces were reported Thursday in the outskirts of Damascus, a day after alleged chemical attacks outside the capital purportedly killed hundreds.
The official government news agency reported combat east of the capital in several suburbs, including Jobar, Harasta, Douma and Irbin, all considered rebel strongholds. The army has been pushing back rebels in those areas for months.
The government cited “heavy losses” among “terrorists,” the official designation of armed rebels fighting to overthrow the government of President Bashar Assad.
Pro-opposition activists reported government bombardment in several other capital suburbs, including Zamalka, one of the sites of Wednesday’s alleged chemical attack.
State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Thursday the administration was unable to conclusively determine the use of chemical weapons but added, “We are focused every minute of every day since these events happened yesterday on doing everything possible within our power to nail down the facts.”
