Syria army makes major advances in Qalamoun

The Syrian army has intensified its operations against foreign-backed militant groups, regaining control over most parts of the strategic region of Qalamoun.

The army launched an offensive against the militants in the region on Monday.

Syrian forces have made major advances against Takfiris across the country recently.

Security has now been restored to several villages around the cities of Quneitra, Homs, Aleppo and Deir al-Zour, the official SANA news agency reported on Monday.

An unnamed Syrian official said the army had destroyed great amounts of weapons and ammunition over the past days.

In Aleppo, northwestern Syria, the army destroyed equipment used by militants, including rocket launch-pads and mortars.

Nearly three years of crisis has taken its toll on the lives of more than 100,000 people in Syria, according to statistics compiled by the United Nations. Millions have also been displaced due to the turmoil.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has announced that the number of Syrian refugees, who have fled to neighboring countries, has passed the three million mark.