Syrian army advances toward Dumayr

TEHRAN (FNA)- The Syrian army has started marching towards the city of al-Dumayr, near the capital, Damascus, to seize back its control from the foreign-backed militants.
The strategic city is located about 40 kilometers (25 miles) Northeast of the Syrian capital and gives access to the international road linking Damascus to the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, press tv reported.
The Saturday advance by the Syrian forces has raised hopes for breaking the siege on Dumayr.
Syrian forces also made gains in the Damascus suburb of East Ghouta.
Over the past months, the Syrian army has made major gains in its battle against Takfiri groups across the country.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Zeid al-Hussein has said that more than 200,000 people have died in the conflict that has plagued Syria since March 2011.
Western powers and some of their regional allies -- especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey -- are reportedly supporting the militants operating against the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.