Syrian troops make advances in Aleppo, Homs
Iran Press TV
Sun Mar 2, 2014 6:13PM GMT
The Syrian army has made more advances against foreign-backed militants operating in the country, inflicting heavy losses on them during operations in the provinces of Aleppo and Homs.
Syrian media reported on Sunday that the country's armed forces have killed a number of militants from the al-Qaeda linked al-Nusra Front in Rastan city in the province of Homs.
Government troops managed to destroy militants' hideouts near two other cities in the western province and killed several militants in the provincial capital, Homs.
Scores of militants were also killed in clashes with the army in the northern province of Aleppo.
The foreign-backed militants lost an anti-aircraft machine gun and a number of vehicles in other areas of the province.
The Syrian army has escalated its mop-up operations against militant groups across the country.
On Saturday, Syrian state television said the army has launched an operation in the strategic region of Qalamoun to clear the area of al-Qaeda-linked militants.
The army managed to take control of two strategic hills near the town of Yabrud which has been under control of the militants over the past months. It is the last major town in Qalamoun that the Syrian army is fighting to retake.
On February 27, Syrian troops took control of the Brakat hill on the outskirts of the northwestern city of Aleppo.
Syria has been the scene of deadly violence since March 2011. Over 130,000 people have reportedly been killed and millions displaced due to the turmoil.
The Western powers and their regional allies - especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey - have been supporting the militants operating inside Syria.
MR/PR/SL
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