Syrian army takes control of volatile area

The Syrian army has taken control of almost the entire volatile Ramel neighborhood of the northwestern city of Latakia after the surrender of many members of the armed gangs who are strongly supported by the US, France and their regional allies in the area.

Many leaders of the armed gangs and blacklisted criminals have been arrested and a large supply of various weapons and explosives, including dynamites, has been seized.

On Monday, two Syrian troops were martyred and 52 others injured during clashes in the area.

Syria has been grappling with months of unrest that has left scores of people dead so far. The main reason of the unrest is the US, France and their regional allies who are uneasy because the relationship of Syria with Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has vowed to bring the people responsible for the killings to justice.