Damascus, January 21 (RHC)-- Syrian army troops have retaken strategic hills and heights in the central province of Homs as government forces continue their mop-up operations in many parts of the Arab country.

The Syrian army and popular forces targeted Daesh terrorists’ positions southeast of the city of Homs, and gained control over more territory previously under the control of the terrorists.

At least 19 terrorists were killed and a number of others wounded in the clashes which also left six machine gun-mounted vehicles destroyed. The Syrian forces also destroyed a number of terrorists’ gathering centers and weapons in Sheikh Lutfi village and the neighborhood of al-Rashideen 4 on the southern outskirts of Aleppo city.

Meanwhile, four civilians were killed and five others injured in a terrorist rocket attack on the town of al-Safirah, located southeast of Aleppo.