Syrian Army Smashes Rebels in Damascus Outskirts

Syrian Army Smashes Rebels in Damascus Outskirts TEHRAN (FNA)- The Syrian troops targeted armed rebels in Damascus countryside, killing and wounding a large number of them, including their leaders.

Ammar al-Asfari, a terrorist leader affiliated to the so-called "Shabab al-Huda battalion" group, was killed along with several members of his group in al-Ob farms in Eastern al-Ghota, an informed source told the Syrian Arab News Agency.  Ten factories manufacturing explosive devices and mortar shells were destroyed in the Industrial Zone in Douma, the source added.  A unit of the army clashed with insurgents in the Western entrance of Haratsa city, killing so many anti-government fighters, including Abdullah Qasem, Abdul-Ghani al-Rayyes and insurgents' leader Mohammad Mahfoud, the source said.  Another army unit destroyed rebels' hideouts in Bait Sahm town, killing and wounding scores of fighters there, including Husam Badee' al-Obaid.  Meanwhile, the army continued crackdown on rebels in the areas of Talat al-Mistah and Barzeh, destroying their hideout and weapons.  The Syrian troops carried out several operations in Jubar in the areas of al-Manasher Roundabout and the teachers' building, killing and wounding scores of anti-government groups' members, including Abu Bassam Dalila.  Syria has been experiencing unrest since March 2011 with organized attacks by well-armed gangs and terrorists against Syrian forces and civilians being reported across the country.  The US and its western and regional allies have long sought to topple Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his ruling system. Media reports said that the Syrian rebels and terrorist groups have received significantly more and better weapons, a crime paid for by the Persian Gulf Arab states and coordinated by the United States.  The US daily, Washington Post, reported in May 2012 that the Syrian rebels and terrorist groups battling Assad's government have received significantly more and better weapons in recent weeks, a crime paid for by the Persian Gulf Arab states and coordinated by the United States.  The newspaper, quoting opposition activists and US and foreign officials, reported that Obama administration officials emphasized the administration has expanded contacts with opposition military forces to provide the Persian Gulf nations with assessments of rebel credibility and command-and-control infrastructure.  Opposition activists who several months ago said the rebels were running out of ammunition said last May that the flow of weapons - most bought on the black market in neighboring countries or from elements of the Syrian military in the past - has significantly increased after a decision by Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other Persian Gulf states to provide millions of dollars in funding each month.

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