Fighting for Eastern Ghouta rages on. Since the offensive began, the Syrian government has forbidden foreign media from entering the area. But CGTN got an exclusive look at areas the Syrian army managed to recapture.

ALAA EBRAHIM DAMASCUS "The area you can see behind me in Eastern Ghouta and you can see smoke pillars coming up from different town in an indication of the intensity of the battles here. We are now on Tel Ferzat one of the most important strategic locations that the army has just regained control of. From here the army will be in a better position to use artillery against rebels. Here rebels for the past six years have fortified their positions and mobilized fighters. It is unclear now whether the army will be able to break through rebel defense lines as swiftly as it has done in the first weeks of its offensive. But what is very clear is that the battle for Ghouta has been very costly for the army, the rebels and the civilian population."

Since Sunday, elite units of the Syrian army - mainly The Tiger forces and the Syrian Republican Guards - say they have re-taken several towns from rebels. Towns like Nashabia, Otaya, Zreika and Hosh Al-Salhia allowed the army to take over roughly 30% of what was hours ago rebel heartland.

LIEUTENANT OKAIL SYRIAN ARMY, 101 AIRBORNE REGIMENT "The battle for Ghouta is difficult. Population density limit our options and we have different styles of fighting- some of it in open farmlands and the rest inside urban centers. We have prepared for everything and we know that the terrorists have also been preparing for years."

Syrian army officers say they are determined to take all of Eastern Ghouta. Because of its strategic position just east of Damascus, the rebel-held enclave has posed a threat to the capital. Perhaps, this is why - even as the sun sets - the fighting shows no sign of slowing down. Alaa Ebrahim, CGTN, Damascus.