The Syrian government armed forces has regained the full control of Midan near Damascus 2007125

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Conflict in the World - Syria

 
 
Friday, July 20, 2012, 02:55 PM
 
The Syrian government armed forces has regained the full control of Midan near Damascus.

Syrian state TV said Friday, July 20, 2012, that the government forces regained control of the restive Midan neighborhood of the capital Damascus, "cleaning armed terrorist groups there completely."

     
Syrian state TV said Friday, July 20, 2012, that the government forces regained control of the restive Midan neighborhood of the capital Damascus, "cleaning armed terrorist groups there completely."
Syrian soldiers lift up guns as they salute Syrian President Bashar Assad at the Midan neighborhood in Damascus, Syria, on July 20, 2012
     
The clashes in Midan and several southern districts started on Sunday, when armed rebels Free Syria Army announced the commencement of the "great battle of Damascus" that aimed at " bringing down the regime stronghold."

Activists, meanwhile, said the rebels withdrew from Midan to " save the civilians from being killed due to the severity of clashes and the army shelling of the neighborhood."

Hundreds have been reported killed over the past days in the intense clashes.

Meantime,the Syrian information ministry organized a trip for journalists to the Midan area.

The Information Ministry organized a tour for journalists to the area following an official confirmation that the Syrian army has regained full control on the neighborhood that has witnessed fierce clashes between Syrian forces and armed groups over the past four days. According to media reports, the Syrian cleansed it from all "terrorist mercenaries and restored peace and stability to the area."

During the tour, Xinhua reporter saw dead bodies of bearded fighters laying on the ground, all dressed in black with some axes next to them, and a lot of old apartments were destroyed and others with smashed windows.

The streets in Midan were almost deserted. Mosques there have suffered a great deal of damage as the armed rebels had sought refuge inside the holy places to avoid the army's shelling.
     


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