Press TV - Syrian government forces, supported by allied fighters from popular defense groups, have managed to make further territorial advances on terrorists’ lines in the country’s southwestern provinces of Dara'a and Quneitra as they are tightening the noose around foreign-backed terrorist groups in those areas.

A military source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Syria’s official news agency SANA that Syrian troops and their allies had established control over Eastern Ahmar and Western Ahmar hilltops in addition to the villages of Rasm al-Qutaish, Rasm al-Zawyia, Ain Ziwan, Ain al-Abd, Kudna and al-Asbah.

The source added that a large number of Takfiri militants were killed and their weapons and munitions confiscated during the clean-up operations. Dozens of militants also fled to nearby areas for their lives.

The development came only a day after Syrian government forces and fighters from popular defense groups liberated nearly two dozen towns and villages in Dara'a and Quneitra provinces.


[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="555"] Syrian government soldiers burn a flag belonging to foreign-backed Takfiri militant groups, while flashing the victory gesture at the Nassib border crossing with Jordan in the southern province of Dara’a on July 7, 2018. (Photo by AFP)[/caption]
SANA reported that army units and their allies had recaptured al-Nassria, Abu Katf, Abu Ghara, Ain al-Maqam, and Rasm al-Bajras among the 21 liberated areas.

Militants hand over weapons in southwestern Syria

Meanwhile, Takfiri militants in Dara’a province have handed over large quantities of heavy and medium weapons to government forces under surrender deals, which are mediated by Russia.

SANA said foreign-backed militants had surrendered their military equipment, including seven battle tanks and three armored vehicles, to army soldiers in Muzayrib town and al-Yadudah village.

Syria has been gripped by foreign-backed militancy since March 2011. The Syrian government says the Israeli regime and its Western and regional allies are aiding Takfiri terrorist groups wreaking havoc in the country.


[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="555"] This picture, provided by Syria’s official news agency SANA, shows a battle tank handed over by foreign-sponsored Takfiri groups to government troops in Dara’a province, southwestern Syria, on July 21, 2018.[/caption]
The Syrians continue to recapture key areas from Daesh and other terrorist groups across the country.

Syrian forces are now engaged in a battle in the province of Dayr al-Zawr as Daesh struggles to keep its last positions in eastern Syria.

On May 21, the General Command of the Syrian Army and Armed Forces announced in a statement that complete security was restored to Damascus and its countryside after al-Hajar al-Aswad district and al-Yarmouk camp had been totally purged of Daesh terrorists.

The development was preceded by flushing the Takfiris out of the towns of Yalda, Babbila and Beit Sahem on the southern outskirts of Damascus.