Republican Guard, Rebels Battle Near Damascus

In heavy fighting, elite Syrian forces have clashed with rebels on Tuesday outside the capital of Damascus, Reuters reports.

The fighting occurred near the Republican Guard headquarters in the suburb of Qudsiya, as well as 6 miles outside the capital in al-Hama and Mashrou' Dumar, according to the U.K.-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Tanks and armored vehicles were spotted in the streets of the suburbs, activists said.

The Republican Guard is commanded by Mahar...