Syria army makes progress in Homs

Source : Strategic-Culture.org

The Syrian army is making progress in its operation to retake control of the western city of Homs.

Syrian forces on Saturday advanced into some areas of the city including Qusour, Jouret al-Shayah and Khaldiyeh, as well as some parts of Old Homs.

The army has eliminated a large number of terrorists and dismantled explosive devices in the operation.

Meanwhile, Syrian troops are also fighting foreign-backed Takfiri militants on the outskirts of the capital, Damascus.

Reports say two mortar shells fired by the militants have hit two schools in Mazra’a and Amara areas in the capital, causing material damage.

The militants claim they have captured a military checkpoint in the southern city of Dara’a.

The Syrian army has conducted successful operations against the terrorists in recent weeks.

Foreign-sponsored militancy has taken its toll on the lives of many people, including large numbers of Syrian soldiers and security personnel.

The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has claimed that the army’s warplanes targeted militant positions in Homs on Saturday.

Zbigniew Brzezinski, a former US national security adviser, has said that the ongoing crisis in Syria, which erupted in March 2011, has been orchestrated by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and their Western allies.

“In late 2011 there are outbreaks in Syria produced by a drought and abetted by two well-known autocracies in the Middle East: Qatar and Saudi Arabia,” Brzezinski said in an interview with the National Interest on June 24.

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal said on June 25 that Riyadh believes the al-Qaeda-linked groups in Syria should be armed, but weapons shipments to the Syrian government should be stopped.

Speaking at a news conference with US Secretary of State John Kerry in Jeddah, Prince Faisal said Saudi Arabia was doing everything it can to help the militants in Syria.

Syrian Armed Forces Continue Mop-up Operations in Aleppo

Source : Farsnews

TEHRAN (FNA)- The Syrian soldiers raided militants in Aleppo province, killing and wounding too many anti-government fighters.

The rebels were killed in al-Showaghrat, al-Alqamieh, and Ein Dakneh in the surrounding of Minnigh airport, an official source said.

The army brigades clashed with armed groups which tried to attack the central prison of Aleppo, killing scores of assailants there, the source added.

In Aleppo city, some other units of the army clashed with insurgents which tried to infiltrate into the secure areas in al-Rashidin neighborhood, killing a majority of insurgents.

In Qadi Askar neighborhood, the Syrian soldiers carried out a mop-up operation in which scores of militants from the so-called "Sharia quartet committee" were killed.

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.

In October 2011, calm was eventually restored in the Arab state after President Bashar al- Assad started a reform initiative in the country, but Israel, the US and its Arab allies are seeking hard to bring the country into chaos through any possible means. Tel Aviv, Washington and some Arab capitals have been staging various plots in the hope of stirring unrests in Syria once again.

The US and its western and regional allies have long sought to topple 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 2012 that the Syrian rebels and terrorist groups battling the President Bashar al-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 2012 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.

Syrian Arab army eliminates 7 ringleaders outside Damascus, Daraa

Source : Syriatimes.sy

PROVINCES,(ST)_Units of the armed forces have eliminated several terrorist ringleaders and gangsters nationwide. Here's a round-up of today's main developments:

In Damascus countryside: -The armed forces killed four terrorist ringleaders and their gangsters during qualitative operations in Doma suburb, quarters of Barzeh, Jobar, and al-Qabon (north of Damascus countryside) as well as al-Nabk area. - They also foiled a bid of the terrorists to detonate nine booby-traps planted in the surrounding of al-Iman Mosque in Harasta suburb. -Three terrorists perished as the armed forces pounded a hideout of the terrorists in Erbin area. -A 23 mm anti-aircraft gun was destroyed in Adra suburb. -Operations of the army continued in the farms and towns of the Eastern Ghouta.

Outside Idilb province: - Terrorists from chechnya were killed when the armed forces targeted a terrorist grouping in Maaretmesrin area.

In the central Homs Province: -Competent authorities crushed many terrorists and seized three vehicles, two of them were with machine gun, in an ambush near al-Sekkareyeh town outside Palmyra. -Various types of weapons were confiscated during a mopping-up operation in Jabal Ghalyon quarter in TalKhalkh city (north-west of al-Qusayr) outside the province. -Several terrorists were killed and weapons were destroyed near a sport club in al-Rastan city. -A hideout of terrorists was shelled near a swimming pool in Tal Dahab town in al-Holeh area.

Outside Hama province: -Many terrorists from al-Nusra Front were liquidated in towns of al-Thlejeh, al-Fatrawi, Rasm al-Teneh, Rasm al-ward, and al-Jezdaneyeh.

In southern Daraa province: -The armed forces took control of buildings near the national hospital, head offices of the social insurance branch, and the surrounding of Abdulaziz Mosque in the city after crushing big number of terrorists including three ringleaders. - Pursuit of the terrorist groups in Daraa al-Balad, and town of al-Shabraq, al-Mzer'a, al-Naf'a, Hit, Sahm al-Golan, and Jnin was underway. A sniper was killed in the pursuit .confrontation of terrorist attacks on several garrisons. -A hideout of an armed terrorist group was wiped out in Kerbet Hamman village.

Syrian Troops Smash Rebels in Homs Outskirts

Farsnews

TEHRAN (FNA)- The Syrian Army targeted militants' dens and gatherings in Homs countryside, killing and wounding a number of antigovernment fighters.

The Syrian soldiers killed and wounded a number of militants in the farms between the archeological Bel temple, Dedeman hotel, Taldo, Tal Dahab and Kesin toward al-Houla in Homs countryside, an official source said.

Another army unit attacked insurgents' dens in al-Karabis and al-Khalidieh neighborhoods in Homs city and in al-Rastan, Talbisa, al-Ameriya and al- Ghajar areas, the source added.

Several anti-tank missiles and explosives were seized by the Syrian soldiers in Homs countryside, the source said.

Scores of antigovernment fighters were killed and wounded in al-Tawil and al-Taiba villages in Palmyra countryside, a local source said.

The source added that an army unit seized rebels' weapons and ammunition in al-Dab'a farms in military operations al-Qusseir countryside.

Syria was hit by a violent unrest since mid-March 2011. The Syrian government accuses foreign actors of orchestrating the conflict, by supporting the militant opposition groups with arms and money.

Syria won't give up power to opposition in Geneva conference: FM

Source : Xinhua

DAMASCUS, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al- Moallem said Monday that his government is "serious" about participation in the Geneva conference on Syria, stressing however that no power handover to the opposition will take place during the planned meeting.

"We will head to the (Geneva) conference seriously to reach a halt of violence and terrorism that we deem as a popular demand," al-Moallem said in a press conference Monday aired live by the state-TV.

"We are not going to hand over the authority to the other party and whoever thinks so, is delusional," the head of the Syrian diplomacy said.

He added that the Syrian government would take part in order to achieve a real partnership and to discuss the formation of a national unity government that would represent the Syrian people.

Meanwhile, the minister slammed a decision by the western powers to arm the rebels, branding the move as "dangerous" and " aiming to prolong the crisis and the chaos."

On Saturday, foreign ministers of members of the so-called Friends of Syria group met in Qatar's Doha on the latest developments in Syria, and agreed to further arm the Syrian opposition fighters.

In a joint statement, participants of the meeting agreed to " provide urgently all the necessary materiels and equipment" to the rebels fighting the Syrian army forces on ground.

The Doha meeting also resulted in "secret decisions" that were not made public. "Arming the rebels would hinder the Geneva conference and would kill more of our people and we will insist in Geneva on halting the violence and terrorism," the minister said, adding that "we are ready to discuss the mechanisms of curbing the violence and the armament and training of the armed rebels."

The minister stressed that his government wouldn't accept any foreign-imposed solutions and "will never even accept thoughts that are imposed from outside. The dialogue is between the Syrians themselves." "We have doubts about their West's intentions and see that they have placed snugs ahead of the Geneva conference after their armament decision," he said.

Responding to a question about the "secret decisions" of the Friends of Syria meeting, al- Moallem stressed that he had no idea what those secret decisions are but linked the decisions with the recent wave of violence that targeted the capital Damascus a day earlier and the military showdown in Lebanon's Sidon.

"What is going on in Sidon is very dangerous," the minister said, adding that the Syrian government has warned from the beginning that the extremists phenomena won't stop on the Syrian borders.

I Saw Nasrallah in Qusayr

Source : http://old.mehrnews.com/en

TEHRAN, Jun. 17 (MNA) – Just days after the fall of Qusair, the city started receiving visitors. Some were returning residents looking for what was left of their homes and properties, while others were only passersby who wanted to see what had happened to the city. There was a third category: Probably Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah fits in.

According to Al-Monitor, It was my last day in Qusair, and the security measures taken there weren’t as restrictive as in the previous days. When I asked, the only answer I received was that every day there are new orders. “Probably the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will pay a visit to the city, a visit similar to the one he paid to Baba Amr in Homs after the regime took control of it,” a colleague of mine suggested but never confirmed. Later, a Syrian officer told us that a high-profile Syrian official (not Assad) will arrive soon in Qusair.

After I had been a couple of hours in the city, no one had arrived. I decided to move around the city to look for returning residents for a possible interview or package. In the center of the city, I stood in the middle of the main road as a huge, black four-wheel-drive came my way.

I stared at the man sitting beside the driver: The face was familiar, but something was missing. It was clear I was face to face with Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, without a turban, wearing a military uniform. He smiled and nodded to me, and while I was still in shock, the car was out of sight. There was no convoy, only one car, but as I said before, there were security measures taken in the city and around.

It took me some time to confirm that whom I saw was Nasrallah. When I returned to Beirut, I started my investigations to confirm it and I did.

While investigating, I came across another piece of information: that this visit wasn’t the first for Nasrallah to Qusair during this very crisis. “Sayyed Nasrallah went to Qusair a day before the start of the battle: He met the commanders, visited some injured fighters and gave a speech,” a source close to Hezbollah told me, “He spoke for around half an hour with his main commanders exchanging ideas on the battle and the expectations and how many days it’ll take them to finish it.”

As for the latest visit, the one day after the offensive, our source said that Nasrallah visited the city of Qusair and the towns around it in the country side. He added, “Sayyed Nasrallah wanted to thank the fighters personally, he met them, met the injured, and went around the area.”

I asked the source how Nasrallah is able to move from Beirut to Qusair in Syria and sometimes travel to Iran while Israel is saying that he is hiding.

“It’s a hide-and-seek game,” he replied, “Nasrallah's security apparatus is professional enough to know when to move and how. No one knows what they do and what their measure are, we only know when things are done.”

Nasrallah’s visit to Qusair shows once again that the group’s fight in Syria isn’t a matter of interests, it’s a matter of existence

Syrian army makes fresh advances in strategic city of Aleppo

Source : Strategic-Culture.org

The Syrian government forces have made fresh advances in fighting with foreign-backed Takfiri insurgents in the flash point city of Aleppo.

The army campaign against foreign backed militants in the strategic city of Aleppo is considered one of the largest operations carried out by the Syrian government. The operation is conducted in the southern and northern countryside of the city with two different objectives.

While the operation in southern parts of the city aims at securing the Syrian Army’s supply routes to Aleppo and northern Syria, the campaign in northern parts zeros in on cutting off insurgents’ supply lines.

“We are working in these operations to clear the northern part of Aleppo’s countryside in follow up to our operations in southern Aleppo. The foreign- back groups are fleeing from one place to another, leaving their weapons behind in addition to their dead bodies. We are working on more than one act at the same time, but we are facing difficulties related to landmines that terrorists have planted everywhere,” an unnamed Syrian army official told press TV.

According to the analysts, the fighting is the beginning of an end to the war between government forces and foreign-backed Takfiri insurgents. They believe if the Syrian army manages to clear the countryside of Aleppo, the whole situation in Syria will change drastically.

The Syria crisis began in March 2011, and many people, including large numbers of government forces, have been killed.

Damascus says the chaos is being orchestrated from outside the country, and there are reports that a very large number of the militants are foreign nationals.

The Syrian government says the West and its regional allies, such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, are supporting the militants.

In addition, several international human rights organizations say the militants operating in Syria have committed war crimes.

Rally celebrates restoration of security in Qusayr

Source : Strategic-Culture

A large number of Syrians have held a rally in the strategic city of Qusayr to celebrate the restoration of security in the city, which borders Lebanon.

The demonstrators, waving Syrian flags and chanting nationalistic slogans, marched through the streets of Qusayr on Sunday, the official news agency SANA reported.

They expressed their trust in the ability of the Syrian security forces to confront terrorists and protect the homeland against plots hatched by the Arab country’s enemies.

Homs governor Ahmad Munir Mohammad, who was leading the rally, said that the public services destroyed by terrorists would be restored soon.

Former Lebanese MP, Hassan Yaacoub, who also participated in the demonstration, said that Syria's enemies sought to destroy it but failed “due to the steadfastness of the Syrian people and bravery of the Syrian army.”

Last week, Syrian troops established control over Qusayr following weeks of heavy clashes with foreign-backed militants. Syrian troops were backed by forces from the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah during the Qusayr operation.

The Syrian Army is now in control of most of the towns and villages near the border with Lebanon.

There have been reports of heavy clashes between government forces and militants in Aleppo, Lattakia, Idlib, Deir Ezzor and several Damascus suburbs.

The Syria crisis began in March 2011, and many people, including large numbers of government forces, have been killed.

Damascus says the chaos is being orchestrated from outside the country, and there are reports that a very large number of the militants are foreign nationals.

The Syrian government says the West and its regional allies, such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, are supporting the militants.

In addition, several international human rights organizations say the militants operating in Syria have committed war crimes.

Homs car bomb kills 8 in Alawite area

Source : Shanghai Daily

A CAR bomb exploded yesterday in a Syrian neighborhood largely populated by the Shiite offshoot sect that dominates the regime, killing eight people including three women and a teenager, according to a state-owned TV station.

Outside the central city of Homs where the blast took place, government troops pressed an offensive against rebels in nearby villages.

The state-owned Al-Ikhbariya TV said the booby-trapped car exploded in a populated area near a roundabout in Adawiya, a mostly Alawite district. The station's reporter on the scene said 10 people were wounded by the explosion, which also heavily damaged houses in the area.

Al-Ikhbariya's footage shows frantic residents running around, blood splattered on the ground, and a badly mangled car. Other cars were also damaged. The reporter said the car was carrying about 100 kilograms of explosives.

The station had earlier said the blast was caused by a suicide bomb.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which relies on informants inside Syria, said the car was booby-trapped. It said seven were killed.

The rare explosion in a neighborhood populated by Alawites, the sect to which President Bashar Assad belongs, comes as the conflict takes increasingly sectarian overtones.

The rebels are largely from Syria's Sunni Muslim majority, joined by Sunni fighters from other countries.

The government's offensive in south of the city, in contrast, has been backed by fighters from Lebanon's Shiite militant Hezbollah group.

The government on Wednesday recaptured the town of Qusair. Syrian state TV said yesterday government troops now had control of Buwaydah village between Qusair and Homs city.

Lebanese Red Cross transfers 34 injured Syrians from al-Qusayr

Source : LBCI News

The state-run National News Agency reported on Sunday that the Lebanese Red Cross transferred 34 Syrian nationals wounded in the Syrian town of Qusayr to Lebanon.

Syrian regime forces backed by Hezbollah fighters captured on Wednesday the strategic town of al-Qusayr near Lebanon's border following three weeks of fierce fighting.

Only 10 kilometers from Lebanon, al-Qusayr town is strategic for the regime and Hezbollah due to its proximity to the border with Lebanon.

As well, the town is located on a route that links Damascus to the regime's strongholds on the Syrian coast.

As for the rebels, the town was important as it served as a conduit from Lebanon for smuggling men and weapons.

Syria government forces say it takes last rebel bastion near Qusayr

Source : The Voice of Russia

Syrian regime forces have retaken the village of Eastern Bweida from insurgents, state television said on Saturday, four days after the nearby rebel bastion of Qusayr fell to the army and Hezbollah.

"Our heroic troops have restored safety and security in Eastern Bweida," the channel said.

UN Council demands aid access to Syria conflict town

Russia on Friday agreed to a UN Security Council statement that demanded that its ally Syria allow humanitarian access to the conflict town of Qusayr.

The statement, agreed after Russia had blocked an earlier version, called for "immediate, safe and unhindered" access to Qusayr.

White House condemns 'in strongest possible terms' Assad's assault on Qusair

The White House on Wednesday condemned the assault on the Syrian border town of Qusair by Syrian government forces, who worked with Lebanese Hezbollah allies to take control from rebel fighters.

The United States denounced President Bashar al-Assad's government on Thursday over its 17-day assault on Qusair, near the Lebanese border. It said Syrian troops owed their success to Hezbollah fighters backed by Iran.

"The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the Assad regime's assault on Qusair, which has killed untold numbers of civilians and is causing tremendous humanitarian suffering," White House spokesman Jay Carney said in statement.

"It is clear that the regime could not contest the opposition's control of Qusair on its own, and is depending upon Hezbollah and Iran to do its work for it in Qusair," Carney said.

He went on to repeat a White House call for Iran and Hezbollah to withdraw all troops from Syria, adding that Hezbollah's involvement posed a direct threat to Lebanon's stability.

The Syrian government had earlier claimed a "heroic victory" on May 19. "Our heroic armed forces have returned security and stability [to the area]," the government said in a statement broadcast on Syrian state television.

As a crucial supply route for both government and rebel forces, the town had become the focal point of Syria's 27-month conflict. Witnesses said the town, formerly home to 40,000 people, had been left in ruins.

The United States, Russia and the United Nations are seeking to bring rebel and regime representatives to the negotiating table in Geneva.

Al-Assad's regime has agreed "in principle" to attend the talks. The opposition, however, has demanded a prior commitment that the president will step down.

Arab League condemns Hezbollah role in Syria

The Arab League on Wednesday condemned the military intervention in Syria by the Lebanese Islamic militant group Hezbollah, Arab League Secretary General Nabil Elaraby said.

A statement agreed at a meeting of Arab League foreign ministers in Cairo condemned all forms of foreign intervention, especially that by Hezbollah, Elaraby told a news conference after the meeting.

Rockets launched from Syria hit Lebanon's Baalbek - security source

At least five rockets launched from across Lebanon's border with Syria hit the eastern city of Baalbek Wednesday, including two that landed near the city's renowned Roman ruins, a security source told AFP.

Another three rockets that hit Hezbollah bastion Baalbek landed in the city centre, the source said on condition of anonymity, adding that several other missiles landed in areas near the city.

The attack came hours after Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah and the Syrian army took control of central Syria's Qusayr, located near the border with the small Mediterranean country.

Syrian Troops Continue Military Operations against Rebels in Several Areas

Source : Fars News Agency

TEHRAN (FNA)- The Syrian Armed Forces, in a series of successful operations on Thursday, inflicted heavy losses upon armed groups in Saqba, Adra al-Balad and al-Nabek in Damascus countryside, killing and wounding several antigovernment fighters there.

An army unit destroyed insurgents' gatherings and dens in Hajira town, killing a number of fighters, including Ziad al-Buka'e, Mohammad Rouh and a Tunisian terrorist Abu Hafs, a military source told the Syrian Arab News Agency.

The source added that another army unit clashed with an armed group in Saqba, killing and wounding a large number of its members.

Abdul Karim al-Khatib and another four rebels also were killed while assembling explosive devices.

In Adra al-Balad and its outskirts several dens belonged to the rebels were destroyed by the army units.

So many antigovernment fighters were killed and wounded in al-Nabek in the Syrian troops' crackdown.

Control of al-Qusayr is game changer in Syria

Source : http://old.mehrnews.com/en

TEHRAN, Jun. 5 (MNA) – The recent operation, in which the Syrian army recaptured much of the city of al- Qusayr, was one of the country’s biggest victories in its war against the rebels, which has lasted over two years.

Al-Qusayr is on the Damascus-Homs highway, and thus by gaining control of the area, the Syrian government has cut the supply route of the rebels operating in the Homs region, which could force them to retreat from their strongholds. The importance of the city is magnified since it is located on the weapons smuggling route and is just 15 kilometers from the border with Lebanon, so its recapture will allow the Syrian government to control the border area.

If the government of President Bashar al-Assad can gain full control over al-Qusayr, it would be a massive setback for the United States, Israel, and the reactionary Arab states, which have spent billions of dollars to support the rebels fighting against the Syrian government. The gains made by the Syrian military over the past few months have changed all the equations in Syria and have improved the government’s position for the proposed talks with the opposition to resolve the crisis.

Now that their main supply route is blocked, the rebels are trying to intensify the battle in the city of Daraa on the Syria-Jordan border in order to weaken the army’s position in al-Qusayr. However, the army seems to be in control of the situation in Daraa since the vast majority of the people of the region support the government.

Thus, Assad’s government is expected to have the upper hand at the second Geneva conference on Syria. However, the general atmosphere that prevails at the meeting will determine how many concessions Assad can acquire from the opposition. And at the end of the day, the talks between the United States and Russia, and the positions adopted by other influential countries, such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, will determine the outcome of the Geneva conference.

Seyyed Morteza Nematzadeh is an expert on the Middle East who formerly served as Iran’s cultural attaché in Syria.

MS/HG MNA END

Syrian Army Invites Citizens of Qusseir to Return Home

Source : Fars News Agency

TEHRAN (FNA)- The Syrian Army asked citizens of al- Qusseir to return to their homes after it regained full control of the strategic town.

"We ensure Qusseir is safe now," the Syrian army announced on Wednesday.

It stressed that the victory in Qusseir is a clear message to the enemies of the country, particularly the Israeli regime.

Also on Wednesday, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian felicitated the Syrian nation and government on the army's full control over the town of al-Qusseir.

Syria's state television reported that Syrian forces have regained full control of the strategic city of Qusseir following three weeks of fighting with the militants in the region.

The Syrian military forces dismantled the terrorist network of the militants in the strategic area, which borders Lebanon.

Many of the foreign-backed militants and members of the armed groups were killed or injured during the Syrian army operations to cleanse the region of the terrorists.

Speaking to FNA, Amir Abdollahian congratulated the Syrian nation, government, and army on the success of the Syrian military forces in Qusseir.

He also condemned the shipment of arms to the militants in the Arab country, and said, "Certain parties, who are still supporting arms shipment and terrorist acts against Syria, are responsible for massacre of people and devastation of Syria and should be tried as war criminals."

Hezbollah kills 38 Syrian terrorists

Source : http://old.mehrnews.com/en

TEHRAN, Jun. 3 (MNA) – Lebanon’s Hezbollah has killed 38 Al-Nusra Front terrorist fighters in two ambushes.

A Hezbollah close associate told Kuwaiti Al-Ra daily that “Hezbollah caught Al-Nusra terroris fighters in ambush inside Lebanese territory Before, a 25-people group of Al-Nusra Front had left Al-Zabadani and moved toward Serghaya in Lebanese borders, with the intention of deploying missiles to target Nab Shayt in Lebanese side of the border.

However, they had been caught in ambush by Hezbollah fighters and 17 of them from different nationalities, were killed. The same source also added that yesterday morning 21 member of Al-Nusra Front who had returned to collect the casualties and remaining artillery, also had been caught in Hezbollah ambush and killed.

Hezbollah’s ambushes have been in line with decisions made by high-ranking authorities to prevent rocket launching to Lebanese side The source also said that a Hezbollah fighter was killed and 4 others were injured.

SH/MR MNA

Terrorists target Syrian scientists: minister

Source : http://abna.ir/data.asp

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Muˈala asserted that threatening and murdering the Syrian university professors and scientists are aimed at damaging the countryˈs scientific bodies.

Over 70 Syrian scholars and scientists have been killed or wounded in the terroristsˈ war against the Syrian nation in the past few years, he said.

The Syrian minister further announced that buildings of some 12 universities have been damaged or destroyed clashes.

Border clash kills several Syrian rebels, one Hezbollah fighter

Source : Al Akhbar English

Several fighters were killed in an overnight clash between Hezbollah fighters and Syrian rebel forces in Lebanon's eastern border region with Syria, Lebanese security sources said on Sunday.

One source said 15 rebels were killed in the fighting east of the Bekaa Valley town of Baalbek, but the exact toll would not be clear until bodies could be retrieved from the remote and rugged border area. One Hezbollah fighter also died, he said.

Syria's two-year-old conflict has impacted in its smaller neighbor, with deadly fighting shaking the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli and rockets hitting the Bekaa Valley and southern Beirut.

Hezbollah, which supports President Bashar al-Assad, has sent fighters alongside his army to drive rebels from the Syrian border town of Qusayr, while Lebanese combatants, mainly Sunni, have joined the anti-Assad revolt.

The latest fighting took place near Ain el-Jaouze in a finger of Lebanese territory which extends into Syria. The sources said the rebels may have been ambushed as they set up rockets to fire into the Bekaa Valley.

The clashes came after a barrage of rockets fired from Syrian territory at Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon in recent days.

The Lebanese National News Agency reported that at least one rocket landed in Hermel Sunday, with no immediate information on damages or casualties.

Rebels have said they will carry out attacks inside Lebanon in response to Hezbollah's support for Assad's assault on Qusayr, a strategic town for rebel weapons supplies and fighters coming into Syria from Lebanon.

The United Nations said on Saturday that up to 1,500 wounded people might be trapped inside Qusayr and warned all sides that they would be held accountable for the suffering of civilians.

But Security Council diplomats said Russia blocked a council declaration of alarm over the two-week siege of Qusayr, arguing that the council had done nothing when the town was first taken over by anti-Assad fighters.

The draft statement also urged forces loyal to Assad and rebels trying to oust him "to do their utmost to avoid civilian casualties and for the Syrian Government to exercise its responsibility to protect civilians".

It appealed to Assad's government "to allow immediate, full and unimpeded access to impartial humanitarian actors, including UN agencies, to reach civilians trapped in al-Qusayr."

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius suggested on Sunday that the conference could take place in July. He said the Syrian government and the opposition must attend what he called "the last chance" for a negotiated solution.

"It's not just about getting round the table and then asking what are we going to talk about. It needs to be prepared. That is why I say that the July date would be suitable," Fabius said.

Assad has lost control of large areas of northern and eastern Syria but his forces have been fighting fierce counter-offensives in the south and center of the country, including Damascus, Deraa and Qusayr.

The uprising against Assad has killed at least 80,000 people according to UN estimates, driven 1.5 million refugees across its borders and fuelled regional sectarian tensions.

Qatar-based Sheikh Youssef al-Qaradawi called on Saturday for holy war against the Syrian government after intervention by Hezbollah.

(Reuters, Al-Akhbar, AFP)

Operations for Syrian Army kill Arab and Syrian members of al-Qaeda organization.

Source : http://www.breakingnews.sy/en

Syrian Arab Army launch a series of the military operations against the fortifications of al-Qaeda organization in Edlib countryside killing many Arab and Syrian terrorist, while it has confronted Lebanese armed men attempted to infiltrate on al-Qusair.

Units of Syrian Army target a gather for Free Army militia inside “Qaser al-Reman” on Edlib- Binnish road; resulted in the death of about 60 armed men and the injury of others, including Saud al-Hasan, Salem Abu Zaid and others.

Our reporter in Edlib points out that Syrian army holds off the armed rebels who have attacked on the Cement checkpoint near al-Faleen factory around Jeser al-Shughour city; resulted in the death of around 30 gunmen and the destruction of a car provided by Dotchka gunfire resulting in no injuries among the members of the checkpoint.

Our correspondent says that the armed militia has fired 5 missiles on the checkpoint, but landed on agricultural lands resulting in raging fire

Syrian army maintains the operations, where units of Syrian forces of Abu al- Zuhour Military Airport target a gather for the armed men were preparing to attack on the airport from the side of the village causing the death and the injury of a large number of the armed men and the destruction of 3 cars with machine guns.

The correspondent adds that the army has targeted armed men gather in Dahret Balet Nahla of Areha countryside; resulted in deaths and injuries among the insurgents.

Syrian Army kills Lebanese insurgents tried to infiltrate on al-Qusair.

Units of Nomadic forces affiliated to Syrian Arab Army have frustrated the infiltration of the armed members from the Lebanese territory through Josieh location of al-Qusair countryside claiming deaths and injuries among their ranks.

Syrian state news agency “SANA” quotes of an official sources as saying that “a number of the terrorists got killed, including three Lebanese terrorists they are Nedal Subeh, Feras Shalha and Ahmad Kasher.”

The agency says that Syrian Army has destroyed dens for the insurgents with the weapons and the ammunitions in the northwest and the west neighborhoods of the city.

Syrian Army extends its domination over Homs

Source : http://old.mehrnews.com

TEHRAN, Jun. 2 (MNA) – Sources report that Syrian Army has the control of al-Qusayr’s Dhabi airport and extended its domination over Homs.

The Syrian Army has taken complete control o the al-Qusayr’s Dhabi airfield in the city o Homs, despite all sporadic attacks by armed terrorists, Al-Alam TV reported.

Al-Alam correspondent reported from the airport, in an interview with military forces stationed in the area, emphasizing that the armed terrorists could not have made any advance, even as much as an inch, in this area

In the Northern part of Homs, Syrian army crossed the armed groups’ supply lines to the remaining of armed groups in Homs.

According to the report, the attacks killed dozens of terrorists and their weapons confiscated. The armed terrorists have committed other crimes in the area against the citizens in the village, situated between a Dhabi and city of al Sanayeh.

Syrian army captures party of sarin from rebels in Hama

Source : The Voice of Russia

The Syrian army has seized two cylinders of the nerve agent sarin in a operation in the city of Hama, Press TV reported on Sunday.

The containers were found in militant hideouts in the city’s al-Faraieh neighborhood, which has been the scene of fighting between troops loyal to President Bashar Assad and the opposition armed groupings, the TV channel said.

Sarin is a colorless, odorless liquid gas which causes respiratory arrest and death. Th poisonous agent has been classified as a weapon of mass destruction in UN Resoluti 687, Press TV said.

Voice of Russia, RIA

Assad forces prep assault to retake Aleppo: report

Source : The Daily Star

BEIRUT: Syrian government forces are gearing up to retake from rebels the northern city of Aleppo, the local Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar reported Tuesday.

The newspaper, citing security sources, said the Syrian army has begun mobilizing troops around Aleppo in preparation to storm the province and regain control of Syria’s largest city.

Syrian rebels have been in control of Aleppo since last July.

Al-Akhbar said the Syrian army would launch the offensive to retake Aleppo once they regain full control of Qusair in Homs province.

“A few days separate us from the battle for Aleppo,” the daily, quoting a source, reported.

Al-Akhbar said if successful, the regime would have managed to regain control of the country’s most significant provinces, the other being Homs.

Meanwhile, pan-Arab Al-Hayat newspaper, quoting a Syrian opposition official, reported Tuesday that Hezbollah appeared to be widening the scope of its military operations beyond the clash point of Qusair into the outskirts of the Syrian capital.

“Something very dangerous is happening: the Hezbollah militia has begun to move into the outskirts of Damascus. This is a new development that we did not expect,” Khaled Saleh, a spokesman for the Syrian National Coalition, said.

“It seems that the Hezbollah militia is completely involved in Syria and this has been confirmed in intelligence reports we received from allied countries,” he added.

Over the weekend, Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah, the head of the Lebanese resistance group, confirmed for the first time his military force was heavily involved in the Syria war. He vowed that Hezbollah, which is backing regime forces, would fight in Syria until victory.

Dozens of the party fighters have died in recent battles to take over the strategic Homs town of Qusair, which lies just 10 kilometers from the Lebanese border.

Syria Wants to Revive Fighter Jet Deal with Russia

Source : Strategic-Culture.org

The Syrian authorities want to revive a contract to purchase MiG-29M/M2 fighter jets from Russia in light of the upcoming expiration of an EU embargo on arms sales to Syria, representatives of aircraft maker MiG said Friday.

“A Syrian delegation is currently in Moscow. We’re discussing details and timeframe of a possible contract,” MiG head Sergei Korotkov told journalists, but did not elaborate.

Syria signed a contract for the jets in 2007, but the outbreak of the civil war in Syria in 2011 prompted the plane maker to put a deal to deliver 24 MiG- 29MM fighter jets on hold, a MiG representative told RIA Novosti on condition of anonymity.

The $1 billion deal included 24 MiG-29s, as well as five MiG-31 interceptors, Kommersant daily said in 2007. The head of the Russian state arms export monopoly Rosoboronexport, Anatoly Isaikin, denied the MiG-31 deal in 2010, but did not mention the MiG-29 contract.

The Syrian Air Force revisited the deal ahead of the expiry of the European arms embargo against Syria, the MiG representative said.

EU foreign ministries failed this week to reach an agreement to prolong the ban on arms sales to Syria, which was introduced in 2011 and expires this Friday.

The decision leaves EU countries – most of which support the opponents of Syrian President Bashar Assad – free to supply arms to Syria.

The foreign ministers of all 27 EU members agreed to withhold actual supplies of arms until August 1, after the international conference on Syria, tentatively scheduled for mid-June.

But Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday that the lifting of the EU arms embargo would hurt the prospects for the upcoming conference.

The conference on Syria is a joint project by Russia and the United States, which hope to get the Syrian regime and the rebels to negotiate and begin reconciliation by working out a transitional government.

Russia is reported to be planning to supply the Syrian regime with S-300 missile defense batteries, though the deal has never been officially confirmed.

Moscow is fulfilling contracts with Syria made before the outbreak of the Syrian crisis in 2011 and plans no new deals, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said on Friday, without elaborating.

Last July, Vyacheslav Dzirkaln, deputy head of the Federal Service for Military- Technical Cooperation, said Russia would not deliver any new types of weapons or sign any military contracts with Syria until the situation there stabilizes, including delivery of 36 Yak-130 advanced jet trainer aircraft under a previously signed $550 million deal

Syrian troops crush rebels near Damascus

Source : The Voice of Russia

The Syrian government troops conducted a major special operation Friday to crush armed rebel groups that had been active on approaches to Damascus.

Syrian troops crush rebels near Damascus

According to the Surya TV channel, the opposition fighters’ strongholds have been destroyed in Rankous, Mlikha and Mazari-Rima .

Syrian army units have regained control over the built-up areas of Tell-Sakkah, Delbah and Al-Mansouriya.

The SANA news agency quotes military sources as saying that the last three extremist groups, namely the Islamic Army, the Black Battalion and the Prophet’s Grandsons,which threatened the capital city, were wiped out in the environs of Damascus, in the East Goutah area.

Dozens of rebel fighters together with their commanders were killed; arms caches and transport vehicles were seized