BEIRUT (AP) - Activists say the Syrian military has bombarded the outskirts of Damascus and other areas around the country.

Continue reading

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says warplanes bombed neighborhoods around the capital including the rebel stronghold of Douma on Friday.

Damascus-based activist Maath al-Shami says government troops are firing rockets and mortars at orchards near the southern suburbs of Daraya and Kfar Sousseh.

The Observatory meanwhile says troops are fighting rebels in Aqraba and Beit Saham, also south of Damascus, near the city's international airport.

It also reported air raids, clashes and shelling around in other parts of the country.

The U.N. said Wednesday that more than 60,000 people have been killed since Syria's crisis began in March 2011 - a figure much higher than previous opposition estimates.