Syrian Arab army makes fresh gains in Palmyra, foils terrorist attacks in Homs and Daraa

PROVINCES,(ST)_As units of the armed forces escalate military operations to obliterate terrorism, mortar attacks have been recorded in several residential areas in the capital [Damascus].

According to media reports,  operations on Monday ended in eliminating three ringleaders from the so- called “Islam” brigade a few kilometers away from Damascus, making progress in two fronts (Palmyra and Aleppo) and further nabbing 13 terrorists in Homs.

3 ringleaders from “Islam” brigade killed

In details, one of the ringleaders along with 9 gangsters were eliminated in a clash which flared up between an army unit and an armed terrorist group near al-Barlaman and al-Manasher squares and south-east of the electricity company in Jobar suburb, just 3km to the east of Damascus. 

While the two others were hammered in Erbin and alDyabeyeh areas outside Damascus as the armed forces shelled terrorist groupings there. An unknown number of terrorists also died.

 In addition, operations of the armed forces today  targeted terrorist groupings and their weapons in Harasta and Hajjira areas as well as in eastern Ghouta, precisely in towns of al-Bahareyeh and Der Salman.

Explosive devices defused

On the other hand, it was said that the armed forces thwarted terrorists’ bids to blast 9 explosive devices near Beit Jen junction on Damascus-Sa’asa’a road and in Bear al-Sabil village outside Daraa province.

Mopping up operations

The latter developments in Damascus countryside came in sync with restoring stability and security to the eastern and southern parts of Palmyra city having flushed out terrorists there.

It added that armed forces wiped out several hideouts and groupings of terrorists in quarters of al-Qosor, al-Qarabis, and Bab Hod in Homs city and in areas of al-Qaryatain, al-Dar al-Kabera, al-Rastan, Talbeseh, al-Shendakheyeh, Wadi Hawara, and Jeb al-Jrah outside the city.

Most of the terrorists killed in the said areas were of foreign nationalities.

13 terrorists arrested

Other 13 terrorists, who were planning to carry out attacks in the city of Homs, were reportedly nabbed  in Talkalkh city, according to an official source.

Qualitative operation in Aleppo

However, in Aleppo province, SANA reported that the armed forces launched a qualitative operation against terrorists linked to al-Nusra Front in Bostan al-Qasr quarter which resulted in imposing control over several buildings.

It cited that the armed forces mowed down 5 terrorists  trying to infiltrate into Dahret Abd Rabbo area and pounded many hideouts and weapons in the north-western and east-southern countryside.

More terrorists were reportedly perished in provinces of Daraa, Idlib, and al-Hassaka when the armed forces shelled their hideouts in more than 16 areas.

Shells hit 6 areas in Damascus

In a separate development, at least a citizen was martyred and 30 others wounded when mortar shells struck areas of Bab Sharqi, al-Jamarek, Abo Rommaneh, Bab Toma, al-Dwel’a , and al-Qassa’a. 

The shells caused damages to a church in Bab Sharqi area and the minaret of al-Hassan Mosque in Abo Remmaneh area as well as to several cars in different areas.   

B.Q