Syrian Arab army targets terrorist groupings in Ma’aloula, presses ahead in Idlib province

PROVINCES,(ST)_ Successive victories have been recorded, in 24 hours, against foreign-backed terrorists who are working systematically to wreak havoc everywhere under a conspiracy hatched against the country.

Last night, the Syrian TV channel said units of the armed forces have restored stability and security to Ariha city (Jericho) and Kafr Zepa town and tightened control over Idlib-Jesr al-Shogour road in Idlib province after wiping out all al-Nusra Front-linked groupings there.

It added that 170 explosive devices were defused in Ariha city and a chunk of weapons were confiscated in Kafr Zepa town. 

The declaration of advance in Idlib province came several hours after the TV channel announced restoration of stability and security to Der Salman town in the Eastern Ghouta outside Damascus province.

It was also preceded by  events in Ma’aloula town, around 55km to the north of Damascus, where the armed forces are still fighting terrorists from al-Nusra Front to restore stability and security to the area.

Today, SANA quoted a military source as saying that the armed forces wiped out terrorist groupings and weapons near ‘Safir Ma’aloula’ Hotel, in the Valley of the Cross, and in Mar Sarkis junction. 

It cited that other groupings were targeted in areas of Khan al-Sheih, Drosha, Magr al-Merand Ko’a al-Zayat , and on the outskirts of Jab’aden town outside Damascus.

Chunk of weapons 

In a further development, the armed forces eliminated an unknown number of terrorists- from different brigades and battalions- and destroyed a big quantity of weapons and ammunitions including rockets and heavy machine guns in more than 37 areas outside Lattakia, Aleppo, Daraa, Idlib and Homs provinces.

Terrorists of Saudi, Kuwaiti, Moroccan, and Libyan nationalities were among the dead in Lattakia countryside.

Oil leak

In a separate incident, an armed terrorist group fired a mortar shell on ‘al-Sentar’ building in Joret al-Shayah quarter in Homs city causing material damages at the scene. No one was hurt.

Another damage was reportedly sustained yesterday when terrorists attacked one of the oil pipelines in Mrat town in Der Ezzour province.

A quantity of oil leaked from the ruptured pipeline into Euphrates River, a source at the Ministry of oil said, noting that this matter is being treated in cooperation with the concerned authorities.

B.Q