Syrian troops recapture areas near capital

DAMASCUS - The Syrian troops recaptured several rebellious areas near the capital Damascus on Saturday and repulsed an overnight infiltration attempt into the capital, killing tens of rebels, pro-government media reports said.

The Syrian troops have reportedly encircled the sprawling eastern al-Ghouta suburb and recaptured many other rebellious suburbs surrounded Damascus, namely Kafreen, Haran al-Awamid, al- Ataibeh, and the industrial city in the Adra suburb.

Meanwhile, the pro-government Sham FM radio said that tens of armed men were killed while attempting to infiltrate the capital from the hotspot suburb of Jobar on the eastern rim of Damascus.

The Syrian army has recently shown no leniency in dealing with the rebels, unleashing strong firepower to dislodge them from the capital's vicinity.

Meanwhile, Syria's Minister of Interior Mohammad al-Shaar stressed that Syria is facing "a fierce global war plotted by the international imperialism under the leadership of the United States and Zionism," according to the state-run SANA news agency.

Al-Shaar made the remarks during his meeting with police officers in the coastal city of Lattakia, during which he stressed that Syria is committed to defending its people and public and private properties.