Syrian insurgents suffer heavy losses as army continues mop-up operations

File photos shows members of the terrorist Free Syrian Army during clashes with government forces in Aleppo’s Salahuddin district

Source: Press TV

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2012/08/10/255510/insurgents-suffer-heavy-losses-in-syria/

The Syrian army has attacked armed groups’ positions across the country, inflicting heavy losses on insurgents fighting against the government.

According to Syrian authorities, the army has inflicted huge losses on armed groups in Aleppo's al-Eda'a and Saif al-Dawla districts on Friday as heavy fighting between government forces and armed groups continues in several other neighborhoods, including Bustan al-Qasr, Halak, Bab al-Hadid and Darat Azzeh.

Syrian troops also located and stormed a warehouse used by insurgents for storing weapons shipped from Turkey. There are also reports that tribes in some districts of Aleppo have joined the army in its fight against armed groups.

Meanwhile, Syrian troops clashed with foreign-backed armed groups in the western city of Homs, Damascus suburb of Manin, and also near the Iraqi and Lebanese borders. Dozens of insurgents were killed during clashes in Manin and a large number of terrorists were injured in Homs.

The Syrian army has launched a mop-up operation against insurgents in the northern city of Aleppo since Wednesday and so far, several districts, including insurgents' stronghold of Salahuddin, have been cleared of terrorist groups.

Foreign-backed armed groups have been carrying out terrorist attacks in Aleppo since July 20 after they were defeated in the capital, Damascus, and were forced to flee.

Some reports suggest that anti-government insurgents operating in Aleppo may have been provided with chemical weapons. The insurgents have also acquired dozens of the portable surface-to-air missiles.

Syria has been the scene of deadly unrest since mid-March, 2011 and many people, including large numbers of army and security personnel, have been killed in the violence.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on August 1 that the country is engaged in a ''crucial and heroic'' battle that will determine the destiny of the nation .