Fierce clashes between Syrian army, militants continue
Fierce clashes continue between government troops and foreign-backed militants across Syria. (File photo)
Mon Jan 21, 2013 6:30PM GMT
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Fierce clashes continue between Syrian security forces and foreign-backed militant groups in the country.
Syrian government forces managed to clean some areas in the western province of Hama of militants following fierce fighting on Monday.
Reports say the tribes in the region have signed an agreement with the army, pledging not to allow any armed terrorists into their villages.
Similar confrontations have been reported in the northwestern province of Idlib. However, the situation is relatively calm in the central province of Homs, where government troops are advancing.
In the northwestern province of Aleppo, the army has focused its operations on areas near the international airport. Government troops are trying to block routes used by militants to import weapons from Turkey.
Meanwhile, the leaders of the so-called Syrian National Council failed to form a “transitional government” at a Monday meeting in the Turkish city of Istanbul amid increasing differences among the parties involved.
On January 6, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad stated that Damascus was always ready to hold talks with the opposition and political parties and that he would call for a “comprehensive national dialog” after the terrorist activities stopped in the country.
The Syrian president also urged “concerned states and parties” to stop funding, arming and harboring militants.
Many people, including large numbers of security forces, have been killed in the turmoil that began in Syria nearly two years ago. The Syrian government says the chaos is being orchestrated from outside the country, and there are reports that a very large number of the militants are foreign nationals.
PG/HSN/MA