Syrian troops recapture key mountain in Homs province

The Syrian troops on Thursday recaptured the Big Muhin mountain in the eastern countryside of the central province of Homs, the state-run SANA news agency reported, spelling no further details. According to other media reports, the contested mountain had been under the rebels' control recently and is located two km west of important weapon depots of the Syrian army and three km south of the town of Muhin. The Syrian army was entrenched on the outskirts of the mountain, trying to regain it due to the strategic important of the site that has 32 arms depots. The rebels tried to move out the weapons but the artillery shelling of the Syrian troops has thwarted the rebels' attempts. The recent progress is part of the recent victories the Syrian army and its affiliated militias, including the Lebanese Hezbollah fighters, have made on many fronts in the war-ravaged country. A day earlier, the troops recaptured the town of Hajjira, southeast of the capital Damascus, a week after recapturing the key town of Sbaineh. The troops in Damascus have totally tightened the noose against the rebels in the countryside of the capital. On Thursday, opposition activists said "intense battles" were taking place between the rebels and the government troops in the southern outskirts of Damascus as the government troops attempted to storm rebel-held towns. The intense clashes took place on the outskirts of Saida Zainab town, Bait Sahem, Babbila and the orchards of Hajjira, as the Syrian troops were trying to advance under heavy fire cover, according to activists' reports. The activists also reported three airstrikes on the troublesome district of Barzeh, which has recently emerged as battleground for the rebels and the government troops.