DHAKA: New fighting has broken out between rebels and regime forces on the outskirts of the Christian town of Maalula in Syria.

A watchdog said on Saturday, reports The Straits Times.

‘There are clashes just inside the town in the western district between Popular Committees (militia) and rebel forces,’ said Rami Abdul Rahman, director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

‘There are also clashes between soldiers backed by militias and rebel fighters around the area of one of the entrances to Maalula,’ he said.

The fighting on the outskirts of the town started with an army attack on a group of rebels in a hotel on a nearby hill.

BDST: 1725 HRS, SEPT 07, 2013
RoR/Jck