Syrian rebels have killed 10 Syrian regime soldiers in a counterattack on their post in the embattled town of Zabadani near the Lebanese border, activists said Sunday.
In retaliation regime army has extended fierce bombardment on Zabadani town, about 45 km (30 miles) northwest of the capital Damascus, as the 70-day-old offensive seems without an end yet.
Activists said army has targeted rebels bastions with 20 surface-to-surface missiles and 14 barrel bombs.
The regime army backed by Lebanese Hezbollah militia has also targeted Madhaya, the town that hosts thousands of Zabadani's displaced amid lack of aid and basic needs.
Rebels of the strategic town urged their counterparts near Damascus to send reinforcements and ammunition as well to escalate attacks to relieve pressure on them.
Hezbollah militiamen and Bashar al-Assad 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, Reuters added.
A victory over the rebels would also secure a corridor for Hezbollah to transport fighters and arms. The Shi'ite Muslim group's military role inside Syria has been growing steadily since the start of the conflict in 2011
Zaman Al Wasl
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