Press TV - Syrian government forces, supported by allied fighters from popular defense groups, have carried out fresh operations against foreign-sponsored Takfiri terrorists in the countrys northwestern province of Idlib, inflicting substantial losses on them and liberating more areas.
The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported on Monday that Syrian troops and their allies had retaken complete control of 14 villages, including Abul Eleij, Abu Tahiha,Ajaz, al-Farjah, Bashkun, al-Daoudia, Jeb Elqasab, Mardagana Burtuqala and Rubaa al-Hawa, in the Maarrat al-Nu'man district of the province following fierce clashes with members of the TakfiriHayat Tahrir al-Sham(HTS) terrorist alliance.
The Britain-based monitor group said Syrian government forces and their loyalists, led by Brigadier Suhail al-Hassan, have managed to liberate 78 villages and towns in Idlib since December 25 last year.
The Observatory further noted that Syrian soldiers and their allies are now only 11 kilometers from the key Abu al-Zuhour Air Base, whose recapture would enable the Syrian army to regain the upper hand in carrying out airstrikes against militant positions in Idlib. The new gains came after Syrian forces managed on Sunday to regain control over a key stronghold offoreign-sponsored Takfiri terrorists in the countrysnorthwesternprovince of Idlib.
A military source, requesting anonymity, said government troops and their allies liberated the town of Sinjar in the Maarrat al-Nu'man district of the province, located roughly 300kilometers(186 miles) north of the capital, Damascus,on Sunday after members of the TakfiriHayat Tahrir al-Sham(HTS) terrorist alliance were defeated.
The source added that Syrian army soldiers and their allies are also on their way to retake the towns of Mutawasita, Khiara, and Kafrya al-Ma'ara.
Sinjar would serve as a key launching pad for further military operations in Idlib province.
New achievements in Idlib Province were followed by a successful operation by Syrian government forces who managed to break a siege imposed by the foreign-backed Takfiri militants on a strategic army base in Eastern Ghouta near the capital, Damascus.
The advance camejust a few days after the army's elite forceslaunched a major operation to break the siege byAhrar al-Sham terroristson the Military Vehicles Administration base in the town of Harasta in Eastern Ghouta.
At least 200 Syrian troops were believed to be trapped within the premises since the militants stormed the base in November. On December 31, the Takfiri militants reportedly widened their control of the base.
Syrian government forces and their allies have been also on the offensive since late October in Hama and Idlib provinces, capturing nearly 100 villages from militant groups.
The Syrian forces' offensives intensified on Christmas Day after reinforcements were brought in from other parts of the country. The main objective of the military operation is to reach the Abu Zuhour air base and secure the road linking the capital city of Damascus with the strategic northern city of Aleppo.
Foreign-backed terrorists captured Abu Zuhour base in 2015 after a three-year siege.
