Syrian army launches major offensive in region near Lebanon

Syrian government troops on Thursday recaptured a large area from Al Qaeda-affiliated militants north of capital Damascus, media reported.

The Syrian army and its allies, backed by Hezbollah, have resumed full control of Assal al-Ward barrens in Qalamoun region, near the border with Lebanon, Xinhua news agency reported citing the pan-Arab al-Mayadeen TV and Hezbollah's official al-Manar TV reported.

As part of a broad offensive, Syrian forces and Lebanese Hezbollah have thwarted an offensive by the Nusra Front and other rebel groups in the region, the reports said.

Dozens of militants, including commanders, were killed in the offensive, al-Manar added.

Government forces also captured the strategic hilltop of Qarnet Nahleh, which overlooks large swathes of Qalamoun.

Earlier this week, the Nusra Front said it, allied with other jihadis, launched a large-scale offensive in Qalamoun to strip positions of the government forces and Hezbollah.

On Tuesday, Hezbollah's secretary general Sheikh Hasan Nasrallah said that "Hezbollah would launch an operation in the Qalamoun region against Islamist rebels who are trying to enter Lebanese territory".

Nasrallah said Al Qaeda-linked militants in Qalamoun area constantly seek to take over Hezbollah positions, occupy Lebanese territories, and attack Lebanese soldiers and civilians.