Syrians in a push vs. rebel area

BEIRUT — Syrian government forces pressed their offensive against the last rebel-held town in eastern Ghouta near the capital Damascus on Saturday under the cover of air strikes as shelling of civilian areas on both sides claimed more lives, state media and opposition activists said.

The government forces resumed their offensive on rebelheld Douma on Friday afternoon after a 10-day truce collapsed over disagreement regarding evacuation of opposition fighters.

Violence resumed days after hundreds of opposition fighters and their relatives left Douma toward rebel-held areas.

The government-controlled Syrian Central Military Media said government forces captured several farms Saturday on the southern and western edges of the city. The organization said the area controlled by the Army of Islam in and around Douma is 7.3 square miles.

The Army of Islam said its fighters repelled all government attacks that began Friday, adding 17 Syrian soldiers were killed.

State TV said Army of Islam fighters pelted several neighborhoods in Damascus with mortar shells, killing six civilians and wounding more than 30.

Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the bombardment of Douma killed eight and wounded 48, including 15 children.

AP A peaceful sunny afternoon in Muenster, Germany, turned to chaos as van ran into diners and sent others (left) fleeing. Police (right) investigate.