Syrian army prepares for major operation near Damascus

Syrian army forces are making preparations for a major anti-terrorist operation against Al-Qaeda-linked groups in Reef (suburbs of) Damascus. Reporting from Syria on Sunday, Al-Alam reporter Darin Fadhl said army brigades are going to attack Al-Nusra Front terrorist groups in the area between Joubar and Qaboun which has been highly volatile due to its strategic location and closeness to capital Damascus. The targets have already been set over militants dens and the routes to approach them have been defined, she said. An army commander said they have already started moving forward in surrounding areas and they engaged with militants in some areas as the army units were taking position for the operation. He said many militants with foreign nationalities were identified among those killed during the recent clashes in the district. The Syrian army commander added they are close to reach the Toura River as they continue their mop-up operations.