Hezbollah and the Syrian army Wednesday took more positions around one of the few remaining strongholds of jihadi militants in the border Qalamoun region, with a security source saying 13 militants were killed in the fighting.
The source, speaking to The Daily Star on condition of anonymity, said the Syrian army and Hezbollah fighters seized control of a number of strategic hilltop positions early Wednesday on the southern outskirts of Flita.
A portion of the Nusra-led rebels fled toward the outskirts of Lebanon's northeastern town of Arsal, while others headed toward Jarajeer, according to the source.
Hezbollah-owned Al-Manar TV said Hezbollah fighters and the Syrian army made “major advances” near Flita, establishing control over vital areas and inflicting “dozens” of deaths among the rebels.
Al-Manar said Hezbollah fighters and the Syrian army wrested control over the Shmeis al-Hisan area that overlooks routes used by the rebels, between the outskirts of Jarajeer and the outskirts of Flita.
Hezbollah and the Syrian army launched a major offensive against jihadis more than two weeks ago in an effort to oust the jihadis from the border region.
Al-Manar on Tuesday said that Hezbollah and the Syrian army have destroyed 40 militant bases and four operations rooms since the start of the offensive.
