New Progress: Syrian Army, Resistance Men Defeat Daesh in Al-Qaryatayn
Local Editor
In a new strategic field progress, the Syrian and Resistance men drove Daesh [Arabic Acronym for the terrorist "ISIS" group] militants out of the town of al-Qaryatayn Sunday after encircling it over the past few days.
Al-Qaryatayn had been held by the terrorist group since late August. Retaking the town is so important because it would reduce the terrorists' ability to project military power into the heavily populated western region, where Damascus and other main cities are located.
According to reports, the Syrian forces are in control of most of the town after Daesh militants withdrew to its eastern outskirts.
The Syrian army command said in a statement that troops have "restored security and stability to Al-Qaryatayn and farms surrounding it." The statement, read by an army general on state TV, said the oil and gas pipelines in the area will be secured and Daesh supply routes between eastern desert and the Qalamoun region will be cut.
A Syrian army general, speaking live from al-Qaryatayn said troops are now dismantling bombs placed by extremists and will prepare to launch fresh attacks on areas held by Daesh.
"Fighting was going from one house to another," another officer stated. He added that Daesh had suicide attackers who were trying to block the push by the army into the town.
The advance came a week after Syrian forces recaptured Palmyra from Daesh and is strategically significant for the government side.
The capture of al-Qaryatayn deprives Daesh of a main base in central Syria and could be used by government forces to attack Daesh-held areas near the Iraqi border.
Al-Qaryatayn used to be home to a sizable Christian population and lies midway between Palmyra and the capital, Damascus.
Syrian troops uncovered "a mass grave of officers, soldiers, members of the popular committees and their relatives" in Palmyra, a military source declared.
Twenty-four out of the 42 victims were civilians, including three children, he said, asking not to be named.
"They were executed either by beheading or by shooting."
Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team
