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Syrian army launches massive operation to liberate Aqrab town in Homs

Saturday, 16 January 2016 6:39 PM [ Last Update: Saturday, 16 January 2016 6:55 PM ]

A member of the Syrian forces jumps off a tank in the strategic town of Salma, in the coastal Latakia Province, on January 15, 2016, following its recapture from Takfiri militants. (AFP photo)

The Syrian army, backed by fighters from allied popular forces, has launched a massive operation to retake the strategic town of Aqrab in the central province of Homs from Takfiri militants.

The Syrian forces on Saturday conducted the operation to gain control of the Takfiri militants’ stronghold of Aqrab in northwestern Homs, 12 hours after the government troops captured the village of Jarisah, which is located along the northern border of the al-Rastan Lake.

This comes as a fresh batch of recruits has been deployed to the eastern countryside of Aleppo Province to help protect the roads and villages in order for the Syrian troops to progress further.

Meanwhile, Arab media said some 20 terrorists from the al-Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front and Ahrar al-Sham were killed in Syrian airstrikes in the northern countryside of Aleppo.

Separately, the Syrian army seized control of several regions in the coastal province of Latakia after fierce clashes with terrorists that left scores of the militants dead.

The Syrian army and popular forces took control of the villages of al-Koum al-Tahtani, al-Koum al-Fouqani, al-Mreij, Katef al-Khabi, al-Kart al-Fouqani and al-Kart al-Tahtani as well as a number of strategic hills in the province.

The Syrian troops also resumed their mop-up operations in the provinces of Damascus, Dara’a, Sweida, and Deir Ezzur.

Syrian forces have made significant gains against the Takfiri terrorists across the country in recent weeks. Airstrikes by the Russian military have also contributed to the achievements by the Syrian army. Militants across Syria have been forced to either retreat from their positions or give up fighting against the government forces.

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