On Thursday, scores of militants were killed during intense clashes with Syrian troops in the area of al-Sakriyah in the suburb of Latakia province, al-Alam reported.

Syrian troops also stormed several terrorist hideouts in the area and shot dead scores of al-Qaeda affiliated militants.

The army fresh operation came following the clearing of al-Bahdaliye and Halboun districts located south of the shrine of Sayyida Zainab (PBUH).

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.

Syria has been gripped by a deadly unrest since March 2011, and many people, including large numbers of government forces, have been killed in the violence.