Syria says war on terrorism will continue
Syria’s defense minister says the country’s war on terrorism will go on until security and stability is restored in the country, amid more victories for the army.
General Fahd Jassem al-Freij said on Thursday that the Syrian army has been on a crushing offensive against the foreign-backed militants in the southern parts of the country.
Freij praised the Syrian army for its victories against extremist groups over the recent days.
Visiting the newly-liberated regions in the countryside of Damascus and Dara’a, the minister was also briefed on the details of the military operations there.
The visit came as Syrian troops and Hezbollah fighters continue their massive offensive against foreign-backed militants on two fronts in the south of Syria simultaneously.
New army gains
The Syrian army forces have already retaken several towns and villages, including Dayr Adas, Dayr Maker, Tal Arous and Tal Sarjeh, in the Damascus countryside.
Fierce clashes also continue near Dara’a close to the town of Majdal Shams, which is located on the edge of the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
Most of the foreign-backed militants in the south hail from al-Qaeda’s official offshoot in Syria, the al-Nusra Front.
The group, which is operating along the separation line of the Israeli-occupied Golan, is believed to be receiving logistical and military help from the Israeli army. Israeli hospitals have also been treating the al-Nusra terrorists injured in the fighting.
The lives of many people have been affected by the crisis that has gripped Syria since March 2011. Reports say over 200,000 people have died in the turmoil. New figures show that over 76,000 people, including thousands of children, lost their lives last year. Some 6.5 million Syrians have also become internally displaced and millions of others left the country due to the ongoing crisis, according to the United Nations.
The Takfiri terrorist groups, with members from several Western countries, control parts of Syria and Iraq, and have been carrying out horrific acts of violence such as public decapitations and crucifixions against all communities such as Shias, Sunnis, Kurds, and Christians.
