A restive district of the Syrian capital that has been a hotbed of dissent against President Bashar Assad was rocked by fighting overnight between government forces and army defectors, opposition groups said on Sunday.

The Local Coordination Committees and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the clashes took place in Kfar Souseh early Sunday morning but there were no immediate reports of casualties.

The district is a high security area, housing the Foreign Ministry and several security and intelligence agencies. It has also been the scene of frequent anti-Assad demonstrations since the uprising began.

"Violent clashes broke out between rebel fighters and regime troops at a checkpoint in Kfar Souseh district,'' the Observatory said in a statement.

Both the Observatory and LCC said explosions and gunfire were also heard in several other neighborhoods of Damascus as government forces continued shelling the opposition stronghold and Damascus suburb of Douma.

[AP]