Syrian army cuts off eastern Ghouta towns of Douma, Harasta

The Syrian army has, in effect, cut off the two large eastern Ghouta towns of Douma and Harastaby advancing into areas between them and the rest of the rebelenclave, and by bringing roads linking them into firing range, awar monitor said.

The advances onSaturday morning included taking the town ofMesraba at a narrow point joining the northern and southernhalves of the rebel area, the Britain-based Syrian Observatoryfor Human Rights said.

Syrian state media are reporting heavy clashes and government troops' progress on several fronts in the eastern suburbs of the capital Damascus.

The government-controlled Syrian Central Military Media said opposition fighters in Mesraba are crumbling amid the offensive.

State-run Ikhbariyah TV said government forces and their allies captured farms outside the village of Aftris and are now marching toward the village.

TheSyrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that troops are advancing under the cover of attacks by warplanes and helicopter gunships.

Syrian troops have been on the offensive in eastern Damascus for weeks and the violence has left nearly 1,000 people dead.