Syrian Army Takes Control Over Mountain Range Near Al-Qaryatayn

The Syrian Army backed by popular forces has taken control over the Suniyat-Homs mountain range, two kilometers away from the town of Al-Qaryatayn, in central Syria.

The operation to liberate the Christian town of Al-Qaryatayn from Daesh militants began on Saturday morning. Covered by artillery fire, vanguard units of the army and its allies began an assault from the south, southeastern and northwestern directions, a RIA Novosti correspondent reported.

In a few hours, according to Syrian officers, over 30 militants were killed. Seven personnel were injured.

The liberated heights helped the Syrian Army take control over Al-Qaryatayn and its neighborhoods.

Now, heavy military hardware and the bulk forces are deploying to the liberated mountain range. Engineer teams are working at the sites.

Currently, active combat actions are over. Artillery units are shelling the outskirts of the town. Terrorists are showing weak resistance. According to the military, the storm of the city is impossible until routes of approach to the town are explored by bomb specialists.

Some data show that while retreating, terrorists managed to lay mines on the roads and inside buildings in Al-Qaryatayn.

The Christian town was seized by Daesh terrorists in August 2015. Terrorists turned it into their main stronghold in southern Homs. From Al-Qaryatayn, militants moved reinforcements and ammunition to Palmyra to fight against government forces.

Syria has been engulfed in a civil war since 2011, with forces loyal to the country's President Bashar Assad fighting a number of opposition factions and extremist groups, including Daesh and the Nusra Front, which have been blacklisted as terrorist organizations by many countries, including Russia.