Syrian forces continue to rid Eastern Ghouta from terrorists

Syrian government troops have made major gains on their path of freeing Eastern Ghouta from terrorist groups.

According to al-Masdar news agency on Monday, Syrian troops have fully recaptured the al-Muhammadeya village and all farmlands surrounding it following heavy clashes with the militants.

Government troops are also making advances in the Harasta district.

A large number of terrorists were also killed during operations that resulted in the liberation of the town of al-Nashabiye and a number of villages and farms in its vicinity.

Meanwhile, terrorist groups in Eastern Ghouta are still blocking civilians from leaving the city through safe passages.

Russia has designated four safe passage routes in Eastern Ghouta after a ceasefire was declared across Syria by the UN Security Council.

Eastern Ghouta, a besieged area on the outskirts of Damascus, has witnessed deadly violence over the past few weeks, with Takfiri terrorist outfits, one of which is made up of militants from al-Qaeda's ex-affiliate, have been launching mortar attacks on the Syrian capital in the face of an imminent humiliating defeat, killing around 20 civilians in two weeks.

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The Syrian army is making steady advances in the enclave, but it is facing a hostile West, which is threatening airstrikes to stop the push. President Bashar al-Assad vowed on Sunday that Syrian forces would continue the latest campaign until the whole area is retaken. 

PressTV-Assad vows to continue eastern Ghouta operations

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad vows to continue operations in eastern Ghouta, stressing that they are part of the country's battle against terrorism.

"We will continue fighting terrorism ... and the Ghouta operation is a continuation of fighting terrorism," said Assad during a Sunday broadcast on state television.

Russia says US ignoring UNSC resolution

Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry has released a statement stressing that it is Washington and not Moscow that is ignoring a United Nations Security Council Resolution on the Syrian ceasefire.

The remarks were made in response to a statement by White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders.

"Before accusing Russia of violating the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2401 concerning Eastern Ghouta, the White House spokeswoman should have acquainted herself with the document. It is Washington and not Moscow that has been ignoring the resolution," read the Russian statement.

"It is Washington-controlled armed groups that have been attacking the Syrian government forces’ garrison in Harasta (Eastern Ghouta), seeking to change the de-escalation zone’s borders in breach of the agreements reached in Astana," it added.

The Astana process began in January 2017, with the mediation of Russia, Iran, two Damascus allies, and Turkey, which backs several armed opposition groups operating against the Syrian government. Together, the three countries have been acting as guarantor states for the peace process.

Capitalizing on the achievements of Astana, Russia on January 29-30 convened a high-profile meeting on Syria — the Syrian Congress of National Dialog — in the Russian port city of Sochi.

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