Syrian army on Monday seized control of a strategic area outside Damascus used by rebels to fire mortar shells at the capital, state media and a monitor said.
State television broadcast live images from Dakhaniyeh, southeast of Damascus, and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed that "rebels have withdrawn."
The capture comes nearly a month after the army launched an offensive to regain control of the area, from which rebels have launched mortar shells against the Old City of Damascus and the pro-regime Jaramana district outside the capital.
The army "restored security and stability to Dakhaniyeh and its surroundings," state television said, adding that "a large number of terrorists" were killed.