The Syrian armed forces pounded the stronghold of Qadimun brigade near Homs and kill several militants including its most notorious commander Mohammed al-Faisal, Al-Alam reported on Tuesday.

Informed sources closed to the Syrian army say the soldiers have also killed several militants in other areas such as Adra, Duma, Wadi Rima and al-Dhamir and Deir al-Zour during the past 24 hours.

On Friday, Syrian army units killed at least 20 Saudi militants in a military operation against the Al-Qaeda-linked terrorist groups of Jaysh al-Islam and al-Nusra Front in the industrial town of Adra in northwestern outskirts of the capital Damascus.

Syria has been gripped by deadly unrest since 2011. According to reports, the Western powers and their regional allies -- especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey -- are supporting the militants operating inside the country.

On December 9, Syria urged the United Nations to stop Saudi Arabia from "supporting Al-Qaeda-linked militants" and fanning the flames of "terrorism" in the country.

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

The UN has predicted that more than four million other Syrians will be forced out of their homes in 2014 by the escalating conflict in the country.

NTJ/BA