Syrian army pushing back militants near capital

The Syrian army continues to push back foreign-backed militants fighting against the government near the capital Damascus.
On Saturday, the army kept up its operations against the militants’ positions in Irbin, a town full of militants located in the northeast of the capital, Press TV reported.
From the rooftops of high buildings, the army troops located and struck hideouts belonging to militants there.
The militants also hide in mosques, especially their minarets, which are perfect positions for snipers.
“They use heavy machine guns, snipers, and mortars, but we will defeat them,” said an army soldier.
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 — support the militants operating inside the country.
According to the United Nations, more than 100,000 people have been killed and millions displaced due to the turmoil that has gripped Syria for over two years.