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Syrian troops make more gains against militants

02 November 2013 18:22 (UTC +04:00)

On Saturday, the army regained full control of two areas in Sadad town, situated 60 kilometers (37 miles) south of Homs, and 101 kilometers (63 miles) northeast of the capital Damascus, following heavy clashes with the militants.

Syrian forces also inflicted heavy losses on the militants in the countryside of Idlib, with the army saying that it has destroyed many of the militants’ hideouts as well as their weapons and ammunition.

Reports say similar mop-up operations are underway in Hasaka.

Meanwhile, several civilians were injured after a number of mortar shells fired by foreign-sponsored militants hit a residential area in Jaramana in the suburbs of Damascus.

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 -- are supporting the militants operating inside Syria.

According to the United Nations, more than 100,000 people have been killed and millions displaced in the violence.

On October 7, the UN said over four million other Syrians will be forced out of their homes in 2014 due to the escalating conflict in the country.

Two million Syrians are expected to take refuge outside the country while another 2.25 million are predicted to be internally displaced next year.