Syrian Army, ISIS Wage Fierce Battle Near Palestinian Refugee Camp in South Damascus

The Syrian army and its allies engaged in a fierce battle on Saturday with Islamic State fighters in an enclave south of Damascus held by the jihadist group.

A Reuters crew in the Qadam district west of Yarmouk filmed intense fighting including artillery bombardment and small arms fire.

Tanks were rolling across an open area of fields to the edge of the enclave, which includes parts of al Qadam district, al Hajar al Aswad and the Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp, while the whizz and crash of artillery fire, the rattle of small arms fire and deep echoing blasts could all be heard.

The army had made broad advances, said state television. The monitor, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said it had gained control of several buildings in the densely built-up area.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad this month defeated rebels in their biggest stronghold near Damascus in eastern Ghouta, and has since then focused on ending resistance in several smaller pockets near the Syrian capital.