Syria forces attack town near Damascus

Fighting rages on in Syria as forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad attack a town outside of the capital Damascus.

Amateur video that could not be independently verified by Reuters purportedly- showed smoke rising from Daraya - where the Syrian army reportedly used tanks and artillery against the Sunni Muslim town to kill at least 15 people.

Across the country gripped in a 17-month long civil war - human rights groups said at least 100 people were killed on Thursday - and at least 200 on Wednesday

Amateur video said to be filmed a day ago - appeared to show exploding buildings in the western city of Hama - and gun battles to the north in Aleppo.

Meanwhile, United Nations monitors continued to leave the country after their mandate expired on Sunday.

After their failed mission, all monitors were expected to leave Syria by Friday.