BEIRUT: Activists have reported clashes between troops and rebels in a southern neighborhood of the capital, Damascus.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Local Coordination Committees had no immediate word on casualties from Friday's clashes in Kazaz.

Kazaz, a tightly controlled area, is home to offices of several Syrian security agencies.

For more than a year after the uprising against President Bashar Assad's rule began nearly 18 months ago, Damascus stayed relatively quiet. Then in July, rebels launched a bold attack, capturing several neighborhoods.

Government forces have regained control of most of them.

The Observatory reported many arrests in the town of Tel Chehab on the border with Jordan, recaptured by troops Thursday.

Activists said the attack aimed to stem the flood of people fleeing Syria's civil war.