Syria Update: Latest Events - December 11, 2013

Syria Update: Latest Events

December 11, 2013


Damascus province. Counterterrorism operations have continued in Damascus province. Syrian army troops have continued their advance in Al Kalamoon direction. Heavy fighting is going on in that area and nearby neighborhoods that are being held on to by a large group of Islamists, who are putting up a desperate resistance. The advance of the Syrian army has been hampered due to the exhaustingly rough mountainous terrain, exceeding quantities of diverse weapons and military equipment, including heavy weapons, ammunition and landmines, used by the militants, numerous urban area pockets, and thoroughly fortified firing points.

The terrorist bands have been noted for having accumulated in them large numbers of foreign mercenaries from various countries from all over the world. Besides, this particular terrorist group has been also noted for enjoying the direct support from certain circles in Saudi Arabia.

After the liberation of Al-Nabek city, Syrian army troops have reached the outer boundaries of the ancient city of Yabroud – that had been mostly populated by Christians – and have begun their cleanup operation there, cordoning off the city and freeing it from the grasp of the local terrorist groups. In the meantime, SAA Special Forces have continued security checkups and investigations in the previously freed areas of Al-Nabek city itself.

In the area, filled with seasonal houses, between Al-Nabek and Yabroud, a separate terrorist group that had used a pick-up truck to try to break out of the city has been neutralized. Syrian army search brigades have discovered a number of terrorist stockpiles of weapons and ammunition in the area as well as a lengthy underground tunnel, rigged with explosives. In the recent battle areas, a great number of terrorist vehicles, various kinds of abandoned weapons and ammunition have been discovered as well.

Runaway terrorists have tried to inflict as much damage to this city as they possibly could. They have left behind them many looted and burned-up dwelling houses, public office buildings and administrative structures. Besides, someone must have ordered them to slay all the livestock, including cattle, owned by the local residents. Perhaps, the terrorist ideologues had decided that cows and bulls were also serving the regime and treated them as infidels.



ANNA-News Agency

Contributors: Marat Musin, Igor Nadyrshin, Vasily Pavlov, Victor Kuznetsov.

Syria