BEIRUT: Syrian activists say 310 people were killed across the country on Thursday in what was the single deadliest day of fighting since the beginning of the revolt against President Bashar Assad's regime.

Syria's civil war escalated dramatically in the past week as rebels closed in on the capital Damascus and launched their most serious blow yet on Assad's inner circle, killing three top aides in an assassination. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Friday at least 93 of those killed Thursday were government troops.

The Local Coordination Committees, which documents civilian deaths, said 217 civilians were killed Thursday. Death tolls are difficult to verify in tightly controlled Syria which places severe restrictions on journalists.

Syrian TV said troops recovered control of a rebellious neighborhood in Damascus Friday.