Clashes between Syrian forces and opposition rebels flared up Wednesday in several parts of the country, according to activists, as Gulf Arab countries signaled a loss of hope that a United Nations peace plan could end the violence dpa reported
Clashes occurred near the Syrian-Turkish border, said the activists, where some 2,700 Syrians have fled into Turkey since the weekend.
Fighting meanwhile raged between government troops and rebels in Damascus, specifically in the areas of al-Abbasiyeen and Kaboun, added the activists. They gave no casualty figures.
The opposition has accused the Syrian troops of using the "scorched earth policy" against the restive areas, by destroying houses and burning wheat fields.
Reports from Syria cannot be independently verified, as authorities have barred most foreign media from the country since a pro-democracy uprising started in March 2011.
The surge in violence has prompted Arab Gulf countries to express doubts about the viability of the UN peace plan, which was brokered by UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan.
"We have begun to lose hope in the possibility of reaching a solution ... within this framework," Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal said in the Saudi port city of Jeddah late Tuesday.
"The UN Security Council is responsible for its duties ... to take the appropriate measures to ensure the immediate application of the joint envoy's (Annan's) plan, including resorting to Article 7 of its charter," he added, following a meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers.