Syrian troops begin major operation near Homs

Sat Feb 1, 2014 20:48:29

Syrian forces have engaged in a major mop up operation to purge one of the strategic regions in the outskirts of the war-torn city of Homs.

Al-Alam Syria correspondent, who accompanied Syrian troops through the operation, reported on Saturday that the extensive military action aimed at purging the town of Azzara and the strategic hills surrounding it.

According to the report, Syrian Army soldiers have already encircled hundreds of armed insurgents in the area who have entered the country from Lebanon through the border city of Talkalakh.

The city served as one of the main supply routes and staging areas for the foreign-backed insurgents.

The Al Alam correspondent further reports that Syrian forces broke into multiple units and began approaching the hills around Azzara from several direction in a well-coordinated operation.

Upon reaching the highest hills around the town, Syrian forces started the operation to purge the area off the armed elements.

Syrian army’s access to the heights surrounding Azzara is of strategic importance since it places the town under their fire range and control. Such leverage over the town would further bring to a halt the heavy traffic and movement of the armed elements intruding into Syria from Lebanon.

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