Beirut: Syrian state media say government forces have ambushed a group of rebels who crossed into the country from neighbouring Jordan and killed several of the fighters.

Sana news agency said on Saturday that the rebels were members of the Al Qaida-linked Nusra Front.

It says they were attacked near the town of Adra, northeast of Damascus, and that most of the rebels died in the ambush. The report says their weapons were seized.

Opposition activists also reported a government attack on rebels in Adra.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the ambush occurred late Friday and that at least 10 people were killed.

The Observatory’s chief, Rami Abdul Rahman, says it’s unclear if all of those killed were rebels and if so, which group they belonged to.