According to al-Alam reporter, Syrian soldiers clashed with foreign-backed militants in al-Bahdaliye and Halboun districts located south of the shrine of Sayyida Zainab (PBUH), as they continue their operations in the area to protect the capital.

Leader of a terrorist group called “Ababil Houran” as well as several other militants were killed during clashes at al-Dhiyabiye district in Rif Dimashq.

Fierce clashes were also reported near the strategic town of Aleppo which is militant’s most important stronghold following their loss in western town of al-Qusayr.

The army has been engaged in an all-out operation in Aleppo, dubbed the “North Storm” to free the province from massive presence of takfiri and extremist groups who have occupied the northern towns for more than a year.

Terrorist groups entered the area at the beginning of the insurgency in March 2011, but in July 2012 they completely blocked several towns, specially Nubbul and al-Zahra, letting no food, medicine and supplies to enter. No one could leave the area or enter as well.

In May, a group of a thousand people tried to break the siege, but they were faced with terrorists who attacked the group brutally and killed and arrested many of them.

They beheaded 10 men and hung their heads at the entrance of the area so that no one else would run.

More than 50 thousand people live in these two towns while after the crisis broke out some 15000 people also migrated and set camp in there.

There are daily reports of abduction and killing of citizens in the area by terrorist groups who often film their crimes and post them on the internet.

It is estimated that at least 10 thousand terrorist are currently occupying the towns.