The fight for control of towns outside Damascus is far from over.<br/> <br />If anything, it has intensified -- especially in the city of Adra where the Syrian army launched a major offensive. They say they've already regained control of several gas plants and other utilities.<br/> <br />And a critical discovery -- a 200-meter tunnel.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) A SYRIAN OFFICER, SAYING:<br/> <br />"We found a tunnel that links Tal al-Sawwan with central Adra. It is 4 metres deep and it was bombed. We disabled the bombs and took them away from the tunnel."<br/> <br />Ferocious battles between government forces and rebel groups, including the al-Qaeda linked Nusra Front, are raging across Damascus.<br/> <br />Just as the U.S. has said it's prepared to carry out air strikes to stop the advance of Islamic State, the Syrian military has stepped-up its offensive. And the sounds of bullets fill the air.
