Islamist rebels seize control of Border guards Battalion east Homs

Islamist rebels pressed an advance Monday against Bashar al-Assad troops in Homs province aimed at capturing major weapons depots, activist said.

Several brigades, among them the Al-Qaida-affiliated Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) and Jabhat Al-Nusra, seized control of Border guards Battalion in Hawarin town after suicide bombing was the key for full control on the Assad Army position, prominent activist Hadi al-Abdullah said  

A week ago, opposition fighters entered Sadad, aiming to advance through it towards Mahin and the depots. But the army pushed them back and deployed its own troops in Sadad according to AFP.

Activists say troops fighting there are backed by fighters from the Lebanon's Hizbullah.

Zaman Alwasl reporter said about 10,000 people had fled Mahin and Hawarin towns to al-Qaryatain city, 90 km east Damascus because of fierce artillery shelling by the Assad army.