Syria forces enter militant-held Yabroud town
Iran Press TV
Sat Mar 15, 2014 1:34PM GMT
Syria's government forces have entered the last major stronghold of foreign-backed militants near the Lebanese border as they continue their push to free more areas.
Syrian forces entered the eastern districts of the town of Yabroud on Saturday, Lebanon's al-Mayadeen television reported.
The forces reportedly advanced toward the main street of the strategic town, located north of the capital, Damascus.
The Lebanese television also said heavy clashes are now underway between militants and the government forces at the entrance of the town.
On Wednesday, Syrian forces backed by fighters from the Lebanese resistance movement of Hezbollah took full control of a farmland on the northern edge of Yabroud.
On Friday, Abu Azzam al-Kuwaiti, a senior commander from the al-Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front was killed near Yabroud during clashes.
Kuwaiti was the deputy leader of the terrorist group in the region, which is a mountainous area between Damascus and Yabroud.
The new gains for the army come days after Syrian troops regained the control of the town of al-Zareh following days of fierce clashes with militants in the province of Homs.
Syria has been gripped by deadly violence since 2011. Some sources say around 130,000 people have been killed and millions displaced due to the violence fueled by Western-backed militants.
According to reports, the Western powers and their regional allies -- especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey -- are supporting the militants operating inside Syria.
SAB/AB/SS
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