Syrian Army Continues Crackdown on Terrorist Groups

Source : Fars News Agency

TEHRAN (FNA)- Several units of the Syrian Armed Forces carried out military operations against terrorists' gatherings and hideouts, inflicting heavy losses upon them in several provinces.

A unit of the Syrian army confronted a terrorist group which attacked a military checkpoint in Harasta in Damascus Countryside, killing a number of its members, a military source told the Syrian Arab News Agency.

Other army units carried out a number of special operations in the surroundings of the Water Establishment, the Court and al-Thanawiya roundabout in Harasta.

The operations resulted in destroying a heavy machinegun and other equipment and killing of several terrorists, including Khalil Shiha and Ahmad Mkhalalati.

Another unit of the Syrian army killed and injured all members of Al-Nusra Front terrorist group which was perpetrating sabotage and looting acts in Adra area and in Housh al-Fara roundabout.

The source added that units of the armed forces clashed with terrorist groups at al-Manasher roundabout and near the Sports Hall in Joubar, killing large numbers of their members and destroying their weapons and equipment.

A Libyan terrorist called Jaed al-Ajari was identified among the dead.

Syria has been experiencing unrest since March 2011 with organized attacks by well-armed gangs against Syrian police forces and border guards being reported across the country.

The US and its western and regional allies have long sought to topple Syrian President Bashar al- Assad and his ruling system. Media reports said that the Syrian rebels and terrorist groups have received significantly more and better weapons in recent weeks, a crime paid for by the Persian Gulf Arab states and coordinated by the United States.

The US daily, Washington Post, reported in May that the Syrian rebels and terrorist groups battling Assad's government have received significantly more and better weapons in recent weeks, a crime paid for by the Persian Gulf Arab states and coordinated by the United States.

The newspaper, quoting opposition activists and US and foreign officials, reported that Obama administration officials emphasized the administration has expanded contacts with opposition military forces to provide the Persian Gulf nations with assessments of rebel credibility and command-and-control infrastructure.

Opposition activists who several months ago said the rebels were running out of ammunition said in May that the flow of weapons - most bought on the black market in neighboring countries or from elements of the Syrian military in the past - has significantly increased after a decision by Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other Persian Gulf states to provide millions of dollars in funding each month.