Heroic Syria Army continues operation in Qalamoun

The Syrian army has continued its operation in the strategic al-Qalamoun region in Syria’s Damascus countryside, Press TV reports.

According to the report on Monday, Syrian troops discovered many hideouts where militants in the al-Qalamoun region used to keep their weapons after regaining the key area. Syrian soldiers found depots of explosives, mortars and missiles in various parts of the region.

The army units also discovered many factories for making moulds used for producing mortar shells.

Pointing to the heavy machinery used by the militants, a Syrian army officer told Press TV that “These are moulds for making mortar shells that are of different ranges. They [militants] used sand and iron powder” for making shells.

The recent development comes as the army has made major gains across the country.

On Sunday, Syrian troops conducted a series of operations in Eastern al-Ghouta and elsewhere in the countryside of the capital Damascus, killing many militants and destroying their weapons.

The Syrian army also inflicted heavy losses on the foreign-sponsored militants in a number of areas, including al-Ghanto, al-Mashjar al-Janoubi, Beit Rabia, Talbiseh, Beit Hajjo, al-Sain, Um Sharshouh, in the countryside of Homs.

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

More than 150,000 people have reportedly been killed and millions displaced so far due to the turmoil in the country.

The UN also says more than four million other Syrians will be forced out of their homes in 2014 by the escalating conflict.