Smoke billows following a reported air strike in the rebel-held parts of the Jobar district, on the eastern outskirts of the Syrian capital Damascus, on March 19, 2017. Heavy clashes rocked eastern districts of Damscus as rebels and jihadists tried to fight their way into the city centre in a surprise assault on government forces. Pic/AFP

Beirut: Heavy clashes rocked eastern districts of the Syrian capital yesterday after rebels and jihadists launched a surprise assault on regime forces there, a monitor and state television said.