According to militant sources, several Wahhabi and al-Qaeda-linked groups, including the Ahrar al-Sham Brigade and the Free Syrian Army's Tahrir al-Sham brigade, backed by al-Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front terrorists among others, have mobilized 3,000 armed men to storm the Christian city of Saidnaya in the north of Damascus.

Saidnaya, located in the mountains and 27 kilometers (17 miles) north of the city of Damascus, is the second largest Syrian Christian city after Maaloula.

Saidnaya is famous for its ancient convents, especially the Convent of Our Lady of Saidnaya.

Before the breakout of the war in Syria, Saidnaya was one of the most important tourist destinations in the Arab country.

According to the Syrian sources, 80 percent of the Saidnaya residents have mobilized and taken up arms to defend the city and fight back the militants.

The Saudi Intelligence Agency had previously ordered different armed groups to attack Maaloula and East Ghouta in Rif Damascus.

After heavy fighting with army forces and taking the ancient quarter of Maaloula, militants abducted12 Syrian and Lebanese Orthodox nuns from a convent on Monday.

Syrian Ambassador to Jordan Bahjat Suleiman has recently described the Saudi Prince as "the real gang leader of terrorists fighting in Syria."

RA/MB