Damascus fully freed of terrorists as Syrian army clears last stronghold

The Syrian army has restored control over all areas surrounding the capital Damascus for the first time since early in the seven-year-old war, after pushing Islamic State militants out of a south Damascus pocket
Monday, 21 May 2018 20:12

Syria's army said Monday it has retaken full control of the capital Damascus and its outskirts after ousting the Islamic State (IS) group in a major milestone in the country's seven-year war.

Syrian forces have been battling for weeks to recover al-Hajar al-Aswad district and the adjacent Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp from Islamic State since driving terrorists from eastern Ghouta in April.

In a televised statement Syria's army high command said al-Hajar al-Aswad and Yarmouk had been cleared of militants.

The Yarmouk camp was established in 1957 near Damascus to host Palestinian refugees. During the war, the camp has become a stronghold of terrorists. In April, the Syrian army started an operation against terrorists in the camp.

"As a result of a joint operation of our armed forces and allies, Al Hajar Al Aswad and the surrounding territories have been completely liberated from terrorists," the army said in a  statement.

According to the statement, the entire territory of Eastern and Western Ghouta is now under control of the army. It marked a major milestone in the war.