Syrian army gains control over strategic area near capital

Syrian army forces have been able to push militants from another strategic district near the capital, as they move steadily ahead with expanding a secure ring around Damascus, Al-Alam reports.
The improvement was made in the Sahel village, at the north side of Damascus and near the town of Yabroud which has been scene of heavy clashes between the army and foreign-backed militants.
Al-Alam reporter said Monday that Sahel was completely cleared after days of fighting which took the army a step closer to secure Yabroud as well.
Fifty militants surrendered themselves to the army, while several were killed and many fled to nearby areas.
Another strategic improvement was also made in Sunday battles, Al-Alam reporter in Syria said; with the army taking al-Kuwaiti strategic hill under full control. The hill overlooks Yabroud and is considered to be and important base for overlooking the movements in the area.
Yabroud is the last base for militants in the Qalamoun area, in Rif Dimashq governorate.
The militants occupying the town are from the so-called Free Syrian Army, al-Qaeda’s al-Nusra Front, Islamic Front and a few from the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant.
Syria sank into war in March 2011 when pro-reform protests turned into a massive insurgency following the intervention of Western and regional states.
The unrest, which took in terrorist groups from across Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, has transpired as one of the bloodiest conflicts in recent history.