Syria army chases militants out of Ras al-Ain in Qalamoun

Rasa - The Syrian army has recaptured the town of Ras al-Ain in the mountainous region of Qalamoun, north of Damascus, days after taking over the strategic city of Yabroud.

News ID: 709

Date: 21 March 2014 - 04:16

Rasa News Agency reports - The town was under control of foreign-backed militants for months. The Syrian army accomplished the takeover mission on Wednesday.

The Syrian army units took over Ras al-Ain, southwest of Yabroud, “killing a large number of terrorists.”

The small town in Damascus Countryside is one of the major towns that militants escaped to after they were defeated in Yabroud a couple of days before.

“Ras al-Ain is completely under the control of the Syrian army. The army restored the security back to residents who are used as human shields by armed men. Wherever they go we will hunt them down,” a Syrian army source told Press TV.

Some vehicles used by militants were destroyed by the army. A Saudi-made blanket was found in a car. It had written on it: “The national Saudi campaign for the victory of our brothers in Syria.”

Residents took to the streets and started cheering and celebrating the return of security to the town.

“Takfiri terrorists attacked the town six months ago. Their numbers increased after they escaped from Yabroud. They kidnapped many people,” said Mousa al-Fifa’ie, head of the town’s municipality.

“We thank the Syrian army for eliminating them,” he added.

The Syrian army is continuing with its operation in the town of Ras al-Ma’ara to fully clear the region of militants.