Syrian Army Continues Crackdown on Rebels in Damascus Countryside

The Syrian military forces attacked rebel and terrorist groups in several areas in Damascus and its outskirts, inflicting heavy losses upon them.

The army chased terrorist groups in the Northern and Western sides in Barzeh neighborhood and the surrounding farms, leaving their members killed or wounded, including snipers.

Omar al-Azizy, from the terrorist group of Ahfad al-Rasoul brigade, Hamdan al-Labbad, and Ziad al-Mahayni from al-Nusra Front were killed in the army’s operations, a military source told the Syrian Arab News Agency.

The source confirmed that units of the army tightened the siege on the terrorists groups in the neighborhood and inflicted heavy losses upon them.

In Aliyah farms in Douma, Damascus Countryside, army soldiers killed members of a terrorist group, including Ahmad Sleik and Hamza al-Lakah, the source said.

Another army unit destroyed weapons and munitions in the town of Hejjeira, killing scores of terrorists including Marzouq Sendid and Mohammad al-Muajil, said the source, adding that another unit clashed with terrorists West of al-Thanawiye roundabout in the town of Harasta, killing and wounding a large number of terrorists there, including Anas Shella.

In al-Zabadani, an Army unit clashed with a terrorist group in al-Aara neighborhood, killing terrorist Dirar al-Zein.

Syria has been experiencing unrest since March 2011 with organized attacks by well-armed gangs against Syrian police forces and border guards being reported across the country.

The US and its western and regional allies have long sought to topple Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his ruling system. Media reports said that the Syrian rebels and terrorist groups have received significantly more and better weapons in recent weeks, a crime paid for by the Persian Gulf Arab states and coordinated by the United States.

The US daily, Washington Post, reported in May that the Syrian rebels and terrorist groups battling Assad’s government have received significantly more and better weapons in recent weeks, a crime paid for by the Persian Gulf Arab states and coordinated by the United States.

The newspaper, quoting opposition activists and US and foreign officials, reported that Obama administration officials emphasized the administration has expanded contacts with opposition military forces to provide the Persian Gulf nations with assessments of rebel credibility and command-and-control infrastructure.

Opposition activists who several months ago said the rebels were running out of ammunition said in May that the flow of weapons – most bought on the black market in neighboring countries or from elements of the Syrian military in the past – has significantly increased after a decision by Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other Persian Gulf states to provide millions of dollars in funding each month.