It appears that after a few days of relative silence in Damascus and surrounding areas, the fire of battoes has erupted once again by Syrian rebels. During the clashes in the Qalamoun area 20 Lebanese Hezbollah mercenaries were killed by the rebels. This battle was carried out by the joint battalions of the Jeroud district. In border areas of this region rebels clashed with other Lebanese mercenaries, killing six and leaving many others injured. The rebels also staged a series of attacks in the Qalamoun heights west of Damascus, and during the past three weeks alone they have killed over 80 Hezbollah mercenaries.