Syrian army kills several terrorists in Idlib

Syrian security forces have killed a large number of foreign-backed militants during military operations in the northwestern province of Idlib.

Syrian military sources said sophisticated sniper rifles and rockets were destroyed during the operations in the towns of Binnish Tamsirin and Sarmin on Saturday.

Clashes were also reported between government forces and militant groups in a number of towns near the capital, Damascus. There have been no reports of casualties.

The official SANA news agency said the Syrian army had discovered three tunnels used by the militants to transport weapons and munitions in the Damascus countryside of Daraya.

The turmoil in Syria began in March 2011. Many people, including large numbers of army and security personnel, have been killed ever since.

There are reports that a very large number of the militants in Syria are foreign nationals. Several international human rights organizations have accused the militant groups of committing war crimes.

Damascus says the West and its regional allies including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey are supporting the militants.