Scores Reported Killed In Latest Syria Fighting

A pro-opposition Syrian group says scores of rebels and regime forces have been killed in battles south of Damascus.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 22 opposition rebels and dozens of regime troops were killed in fighting on October 9 in Husseiniyah, al-Thiabiyeh, and Bouydah.

The state news agency, SANA, said government forces had secured control over the town of Husseiniyah and the outskirts of al-Thiabiyeh.

Elsewhere, rebel forces have claimed responsibility for a shelling attack in the central province of Homs that damaged one of Syria's two main oil refineries.