The militants, who were from two areas in the Damascus countryside, also submitted their weapons to the Syrian army on Thursday.

Officials said those who did not commit crimes will be set free after promising not to carry arms again, or carry out any act to destabilize the security of the country.

The Syrian army has been making more gains in its battle in recent months, despite support the militants have been receiving from various countries.

On April 13, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said the war in the country has shifted strongly in favor of government forces.

Assad stated that “there is a turning point in the crisis in Syria in terms of the continuous military achievements...by the army and armed forces in the war against terror, and in...terms of national reconciliation."

The Syrian president also said there is a growing popular awareness about the goals behind aggression against Syria.

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

BA/BA