DAMASCUS, SYRIA — Syrian troops captured a western town near the border with Lebanon on Thursday, after days of heavy fighting that killed dozens, including nine doctors and nurses and the nephew of a Hezbollah cabinet minister, anti-government activists and state media said.
The fighting near the border with Lebanon is part of a fierce offensive north of the capital that has seen several rebel strongholds fall into government hands in recent weeks.
President Bashar Assad’s forces launched the push into the rugged Qalamoun region along the border in order to cut off rebel supply routes and stem the flow of fighters.
A Syrian army statement said troops have fully seized control of Deir Attiyeh and pledged to continue its pursuit of “terrorists” all over the country.
