Syria army gains more ground against militants in battle for Barzeh

The Syrian army has gained more ground in the battle against foreign-backed militants near the capital, Damascus, Press TV reports.

Fierce clashes are underway between Syrian government troops and foreign-backed militants in Barzeh District.

Press TV correspondent in Barzeh says the army has made gains in the strategic district following days of fighting between the Syrian armed forces and al-Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front militants.

Syrian army units are trying to regain control of a strategic hill in the Dahret al-Mistah area of Barzeh.

“We as defence forces are advancing in this neighborhood (Dahret al-Mistah), as soon as we regain this part, securing Barzeh would be easy,” an army commander told Press TV on Saturday.

Civilians of Barzeh, which is currently controlled by the foreign-backed militants, have already been displaced.

The region has also seen massive destruction of infrastructure and is no longer suitable for living. Yet, both sides struggle to win the battle, as militants regard Barzeh a gateway to invade Damascus from the north.

Meanwhile, Syrian soldiers repelled foreign-backed militants by launching large-scale operations in the northwest of the country on Saturday.

The Syrian army clashed with the militants, who were trying to sneak into the northern side of Abo al-Duhour airport, near Idlib.

A number of militants were killed in the fighting and the soldiers destroyed their weapons and ammunition.

Syria has been gripped by deadly unrest since 2011. According to reports, the Western powers and their regional allies — especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey — are supporting the militants operating inside Syria.