"Syrian government forces struck heavily the strongholds of Jund al-Sham and Faylaq al-Sham along a road connecting the Northern side of Souran to the militant-held town of Taybat al-Imam, inflicting major casualties on the terrorists and driving them out of the al-Makateb checkpoint," the sources said.

"Simultaneous with the army advances towards Taybat al-Imam, artillery units also shelled militants' gatherings in the town," the sources said.

Reports said earlier today that the terrorists retreated from the battlefield after losing 50 militants in a counterattack on government forces' positions in the town of Souran that was just captured by the army few days ago.

Syrian army soldiers, backed up by the Russian and Syrian fighter jets, repelled the joint attack of Faylaq al-Sham, Jeish al-Ezzah, Ahrar al-Sham and Jund al-Sham on their strongholds near the newly-recaptured town of Souran, killing at least 50 militants and wounding many more.

In the meantime, militants' centers in the towns of Taybat al-Imam and its nearby villages, Tal Bazam, Lahaya and Bouyedeh were heavily shelled by the Syrian army's artillery units.

Syrian government forces have been hitting terrorists' defense lines near Taybat al-Imam to drive them out of the town.

SA - 12