Syrian state television said on Wednesday that the Syrian troops also killed a large number of terrorists and captured other militants in the western town in Homs Province.

The foreign-backed militants also said in a statement that they withdrew overnight Wednesday from the town after the Syrian troops "killed hundreds" of terrorists.

Syrian officials say new military gains have shifted the balance of power in the government's favor in recent weeks.

In the past two months, the Syrian army has moved steadily against the terrorists in key battleground areas, making advances near the border with Lebanon and considerably lowering the threat to Damascus. 

Meanwhile, Syrian government forces pushed foreign-backed militants out of Jobar, a key district on the edge of Damascus, according to the state news agency. It would bolster the defenses of the Syrian capital.

SANA news agency said Tuesday that government troops "restored security and stability to some vital areas" in Jobar, on the northeastern edge of the capital from where the terrorists had been trying to push into Damascus for weeks.

Syria has been gripped by unrest for more than two years. The foreign-sponsored militancy has taken its toll on the lives of many people, including large numbers of Syrian soldiers and security personnel.