Army makes new gains against Takfiri militants across Syria

The Syrian army has reportedly managed to make new gains in its fight against foreign-backed Takfiri terrorists in two strategic areas in the crisis-hit country. On Monday, the Syrian troops carried out a military operation against the Takfiri militants in the key neighborhood of Barzeh, located north of the capital, Damascus, Syria’s official news agency, SANA, reported. Meanwhile, reports further said that the Syrian army units recaptured most of the areas around the International Airport in Syria’s the northwestern city of Aleppo. A military source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the facility will soon become operational after a one-year closure over the fierce fighting there. “All of the area southeast of the airport is in the hands of the army,” said the source, adding that it is “now possible” to reopen the facility. On Sunday, the Syrian soldiers regained full control of a strategic base, dubbed Base 80, near Aleppo International Airport following days of heavy clashes with the foreign-sponsored Takfiri groups. The recent gains came a few days after Syrian troops managed to take control of the towns of al-Sabeineh al-Kubra, al-Sabeineh al-Sughra and Ghazal near the capital on November 7. The towns were among the most important positions for militants on Damascus outskirts. The Arab country has been gripped by deadly unrest since 2011. According to reports, the Western powers and their regional allies -- especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey -- are supporting the militants operating inside Syria. The United Nations says more than 100,000 people have been killed and millions displaced in the foreign-sponsored turmoil. The world body has recently warned that over nine million people in Syria are in need of urgent humanitarian aid.