Dozens Killed And Injured As IS Clash With Syrian Troops

Syrian government forces have carried out attacks on Hajar al-Aswad in Damascus (Image: PA).

Fighting between Syrian troops and Islamic State fighters has left dozens dead or injured, according to a war monitor and state media.

The clashes happened in the southern neighbourhoods of Damascus after government forces pressed their offensive to capture the last parts of the capital that were not under state control.

The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said a government bombardment killed 17, including seven children and two women in the Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmouk, mostly controlled by IS.

Syrian state media reported that IS shelling of the government-held neighbourhood of Qadam, killed two children and wounded eight others. 

State news agency, Sana, stated government forces alongside their allies pushed deeper into the nearby neighbourhood of Hajar al-Aswad, which is controlled by IS.

Sana added the army aims to "completely eradicate the terrorists from south Damascus".

The week-long fighting in both Hajar al-Aswad and Yarmouk camp has killed dozens of fighters on both sides. 

The area is the last Damascus district that is out of government control. It is believed that the capture would strengthen President Bashar Assad's grip on power.

State TV reported that Syrians planes hit an IS arms depot in the area which caused explosions. IS claimed its fighters killed 20 soldiers in the area.

United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) warned of "catastrophic consequences of the severe escalation" over fighting affecting Yarmouk refugee camp and the surrounding areas.

The attacks have caused deaths and injuries to civillians in Yarmouk and the neighbouring Yalda.

It has caused 5,000 civilians, 3,500 of those Palestinian refugees, to leave the area.