A handout picture released by the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) shows the streets of the town of Yabrud, in the Qalamun region near the Lebanese border, being cleaned from debris as residents begin to return home on March 31, 2014. AFP PHOTO/HO/SANA
BEIRUT: Syrian regime forces have shelled the Rankus area ahead of an operation to retake the town, one of the last rebel-held regions in the Qalamoun area, activists said Tuesday.
Al-Manar television, which belongs to the pro-Syrian regime Lebanese group Hezbollah, also reported that the Syrian army had begun an offensive against Rankus.
A military source, meanwhile, told AFP that regime forces had taken a hilltop position by Rankus and were surrounding the town.
The Qalamoun region is strategic because it lies along the border with Lebanon and the main highway between Damascus and the city of Homs runs through it.
"The area of Rankus in Qalamoun has been under heavy shelling and continuous air raids since Monday, ahead of a plan to storm it," Syrian Observatory for Human Rights chief Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP.
He said Hezbollah was leading the operation by regime forces in the region, where the army has gradually recaptured control of almost all areas formerly held by the rebels.
Fighters from pro-regime militias were also involved in the battle, which comes after the regime secured a major victory by capturing the rebel bastion of Yabrud nearby on March 15.
With the fall of Yabrud, rebel forces lost most of their supply routes crossing the border into Lebanon.
Kurds battle Assad forces, open new front line
Sudan troops battle Darfur rebels for strategic area
Deraa battles claim fourth journalist
Your feedback is important to us!
We invite all our readers to share with us their views and comments about this article.
Disclaimer: Comments submitted by third parties on this site are the sole responsibility of the individual(s) whose content is submitted. The Daily Star accepts no responsibility for the content of comment(s), including, without limitation, any error, omission or inaccuracy therein. Please note that your email address will NOT appear on the site.
Alert: If you are facing problems with posting comments, please note that you must verify your email with Disqus prior to posting a comment. follow this link to make sure your account meets the requirements. (http://bit.ly/vDisqus)
Syrian regime forces have shelled the Rankus area ahead of an operation to retake the town, one of the last rebel-held regions in the Qalamoun area, activists said Tuesday."The area of Rankus in Qalamoun has been under heavy shelling and continuous air raids since Monday, ahead of a plan to storm it," Syrian Observatory for Human Rights chief Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP.He said Hezbollah was leading the operation by regime forces in the region, where the army has gradually recaptured control of almost all areas formerly held by the rebels.
...
ISIS shoots down a Syrian regime warplane that was bombing opposition-held areas, killing the pilot
Syrian authorities and insurgents have allowed the Red Cross to deliver growing amounts of aid under local cease-fires...
A blast on a bus in a central district of the Syrian capital kills at least 6 people and wounded 10, an activist group...
Syria's prime minister says the country wanted to drive all insurgents out of its territory in 2015 and is prepared to...
A third war with Lebanon has become inevitable, Israel’s Foreign Minister Avigdom Lieberman said Sunday, adding that...
The Future Movement and Hezbollah will meet for a fifth round of talks Tuesday, the first time they convene after the...
Egypt decides to deport jailed Australian reporter Peter Greste to his home country
Syrian airstrikes Tuesday targeted two hospitals and a besieged rebel enclave near the city of Homs, killing at least...
FOLLOW THIS ARTICLE