Islamist rebels have killed 20 Syrian army soldiers and Hezbollah militants in the western neighborhood of Zabadani town northwest of the capital Damascus, activists said on Saturday.
Fighters of the dominant Ahrar al-Sham movement and the al-Qaeda branch Nusra Front, who launched attacks on regime bastions nearby Zabadani to ease offensive on their fellow fighters, have taken control of number of checkpoints in the 'Eastern Mountain', killing 20 soldiers and Hezbollah militants.
Days ago, besieged rebels of Zabadani appealed to their counterparts near Damascus to send reinforcements and ammunition as well to escalate attacks to relieve pressure on them.
Hezbollah militiamen and the army have controlled most of Zabadani city after intense aerial bombardments and heavy artillery fire on rebels hideouts.
The control of the city is seen as crucial to consolidate government-held areas linking Lebanon and Syria. Zabadani is a former popular resort on the main Beirut-Damascus highway, according to Reuters.
Its capture would be a strategic gain for al-Assad, whose army is battling on several other fronts with groups including non-jihadist rebels and hardline Islamic State militants.
Zaman Al Wasl
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