<p>Prior to launching a renewed ground offensive in the opposition-held eastern Damascus suburb of al-Qabun, local activists reported</a> at least eight missile strikes on residential areas during the morning of April 27.</p><p>Following the aerial bombardment, pro-regime forces backed by several T-72 tanks attempted to breach further into the eastern outskirts of al-Qabun, where they abducted and killed a number of Jaish al-Islam rebels on April 25</a>. In response to attempted ground operations, Ahrar al-Sham, another local rebel faction, claimed to have severely damaged at least two</a> Syrian tanks entering the area.</p><p>Pro-regime media reports from around the region have claimed</a> that the Syrian military gained control over several checkpoints along the eastern edge of the rebel-held suburb.</p><br />
