Exclusive: Syrian army prepares for major operation near capital

Sun Nov 3, 2013 20:03:49

Syrian army forces are making preparations for a major anti-terrorist operation against al-Qaeda-linked groups in Rif Dimashq near the capital.

Reporting from Syria on Sunday, Al Alam reporter Darin Fadhl said army brigades are going to attack al-Nusra Front terrorist groups in the area between Joubar and Qaboun which has been highly volatile due to its strategic location and closeness to capital Damascus.

The targets have already been set over militants dens and the routes to approach them have been defined, she said.

An army commander said they have already started moving forward in surrounding areas and they engaged with militants in some areas as the army units were taking position for the operation.

He said many militants with foreign nationalities were identified among those killed during the recent clashes in the district.

The Syrian army commander added they are close to reach the Toura River as they continue their mop-up operations.

The war in Syria started in March 2011, when pro-reform protests turned into a massive insurgency following the intervention of Western and regional states.

The unrest, which took in terrorist groups from across Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, has transpired as one of the bloodiest conflicts in recent history.

According to the United Nations, more than 100,000 people have been killed and millions displaced due to the turmoil that has gripped Syria for over two years.

SHI/SHI

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