BEIRUT — Activists and state media are reporting heavy clashes and shelling in suburbs of the Syrian capital of Damascus and other parts of the country.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says some of the heaviest fighting is taking place in the Damascus suburb of Daraya.

The fighting showed rebel strength in the area of capital as the 22-month civil war drags on.

The Observatory and activist Mohammed Saeed, who is based near Damascus, say Syrian warplanes took part in bombing Daraya on Tuesday.

State-run news agency SANA said troops killed "tens of terrorists" in Daraya and nearby areas. The regime refers to rebels as "terrorists."

Daraya is few miles  from the strategic military air base of Mazzeh, a western neighborhood of the capital.