Syrian troops make gains in northwest

Soldiers of the Syrian army have made advances in their fight against foreign-backed terrorist groups in the northwestern part of the country.
The Syrian soldiers took full control over the southern entrance of the town of al-Zara in the Talkalakh countryside and the eastern hills overlooking the town, the official SANA news agency reported on Friday.
A number of foreign-backed militants were killed during the operation by the army troops who were pressing deeper along the town’s southern axis.
The troops also managed to dismantle several improvised explosive devices planted by the militants to obstruct the army’s progress.
Syria has been gripped by deadly violence since 2011. Some sources say around 130,000 people have been killed and millions displaced due to the violence fueled by Western-backed militants.
According to reports, the Western powers and their regional allies — especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey — are supporting the militants operating inside Syria.