Syrian soldiers, Hezbollah forces gain strategic grounds in Qalamoun
Iran Press TV
Wed May 13, 2015 4:20PM
Syrian government forces backed by fighters from the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah have made major advances in the mountainous Qalamoun region, north of Damascus and along the border with neighboring Lebanon.
On Wednesday, the joint forces established full control over the highest peak in the strategic hills in the east of Qalamoun, including the Tallit Mussa hilltop, one of the most strategic positions in the region.
Hezbollah fighters and Syrian army soldiers also managed to drive members of the al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Nusra Front out of Qalamoun in deadly conflicts which left dozens of terrorists killed and wounded.
The developments came a day after the Syrian army managed to retake the al-Kherbeh crossing in Qalamoun, killing dozens of terrorists in the area and hunting down the remaining.
Over the past days, the joint forces progressed in Qalamoun's western and eastern areas, while the Jard al-Juba region and as al-Masirah area were recaptured.
The offensive against the militants began earlier this month, after Hezbollah announced a plan to clear the strategic region from terrorist groups along with Syrian government forces.
On April 15, Syrian forces drove out foreign-backed militants from the towns of Assal al-Ward, Housh Arab and Jab'adin, one day after government forces retook full control of the towns of Ma'loula and al-Sarkha.
Syria has been gripped by deadly crisis since 2011. More than 220,000 people have reportedly been killed and millions displaced so far due to the turmoil in the country.
MIS/HSN/HRB
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