Syrian forces have captured a major military airbase in a suburb of the capital, Damascus.
Pro-government sources said on Monday that the army managed to take control of Marj al-Sultan airbase east of the capital.
“Marj al-Sultan airbase has been freed. Terrorists from the al-Nusra Front and the Jaish al-Islam have retreated toward Hush al-Salehi. Dozens of militants have been killed,” said an anonymous pro-government source.
Military sources said the army has established a security zone around the airbase, and demining is under way in the area.
Other reports said Syrian forces also recaptured in their operation the rural town of Marj al-Sultan from the militants, inflicting heavy losses on their ranks and weaponry.
Marj ul-Sultan is located about 18 kilometers (11 miles) from Damascus and used to serve as a major stronghold for militants around the town of Duma.
Syrian forces also managed to make gains against militants in other parts of Syria on Monday, with reports saying that the forces pushed back the militants from the towns of Ba’is and Dalamih in southern Aleppo. Pro-government forces also recorded victories in the northwestern province of Latakia, where they liberated some positions, including a major highway connecting the area to a crossing on the Turkish border.