Syrian army gains control of Shabaa on Damascus suburbs

Iran Press TV

Tue Sep 17, 2013 1:33PM GMT

The Syrian army has gained control of the town of Shaba'a on the suburbs of the capital, Damascus, as it continues its fight against foreign-backed militants, Press TV reports.

The Syrian army announced that it has taken full control of the town after days of fighting with militants in the area.

The announcement comes days after the Syrian army said it had made more gains in the country's largest city of Aleppo as they clashed with militants in Noor al-Deen al-Zanki.

They have also seized a strategic mountain area in Idlib Province, the report stated.

Since last week, the soldiers have gained control of the Barzeh district near the capital and the Christian town of Ma'lula.

Syria has been gripped by deadly unrest since 2011.

According to reports, the Western powers and their regional allies -- especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey -- are supporting militants operating inside Syria to overthrow the government of Bashar al-Assad.

According to the United Nations, more than 100,000 people have been killed and millions displaced due to the violence.

SZH/PR/SS