On Wednesday, the Syrian army clashed with the militants in the areas of Kifr Najd, Harsh Masibin, Hamimat al-Dayer, Taftanaz, Binnesh, Maarazaf and Benin in Idlib countryside, killing a large number of them, Press TV reported.

The army also destroyed several vehicles equipped with heavy machinegun in the areas of Taftanaz, Binnesh, Sarja and Tarmla.

The army continues its mop-up operations in the countryside of the capital city of Damascus, inflicting heavy losses on the militants.

The Syrian troops stormed the militants’ hideouts in Douma, Joubar and Maaloula in Damascus countryside, killing a number of them.

In al-Nabek city, an army unit discovered ammunition used for heavy weapons as well as scores of explosive devices.

The Syrian soldiers also clashed with the militants near the Central Prison of Aleppo, killing scores of them.

A number of the militants were killed by the army in the neighborhoods of Salaheddin, al-Sukari, al-Ansari and Bustan al-Basha.

Similar operations were also conducted by the army in Homs and its countryside.

On Tuesday, the army took over key areas in the suburbs of the city of Adra near Damascus. A large number of militants were killed during the operation.

The al-Qaeda-linked militants have been involved in a series of kidnappings and executions in the area since they captured Adra earlier this month.

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

According to the United Nations, more than 100,000 people have been killed and a total of 7.8 million of others displaced due to the violence.

HH/HH