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."

Syrian Army Detains French, British, Belgian, Dutch, Qatari Officers in al-Qusseir

Source : Fars News Agency

TEHRAN (FNA)- The Syrian troopers detained dozens of foreign officers in the restive al-Qusseir region, sources said on Tuesday, adding that most of the detainees were from France, Britain, Belgium, the Netherlands and Qatar.

Assim Qansou, a representative of the socialist party in Lebanon's parliament, told the Lebanese al- Nashrah newspaper that during the battle in al-Qusseir city, the Syrian army has arrested tens of French, British, Belgian, Dutch and Qatari officers.

The EU's anti-terror chief said in April that hundreds of Europeans are now fighting with rebel forces in Syria against Bashar al-Assad's government.

Gilles de Kerchove estimated the number in Syria at about 500.

Intelligence agencies are concerned some could join groups linked to al-Qaeda and later return to Europe to launch terrorist attacks.

The UK, Ireland and France are among the EU countries estimated to have the highest numbers of fighters in Syria.

"Not all of them are radical when they leave, but most likely many of them will be radicalized there, will be trained," de Kerchove said.

"And as we've seen this might lead to a serious threat when they get back."

Across Europe, intelligence agencies have stepped up investigations, says the BBC's Europe correspondent Duncan Crawford.

In Britain and Belgium they have increased efforts to track how people are recruited.

In the Netherlands, officials have raised the terror threat level there to "substantial" - partly over concerns about radicalized citizens returning from Syria.

The Syrian army announced on Tuesday that it found an Israeli military vehicle during its wide-scale attack in the central city of al-Qusseir.

According to the report, the vehicle was found along with tapping and jamming devices in al-Qusseir where the Syrian army has taken full control over the entire Eastern part of the strategic city near the borders with Lebanon