Syrian troops capture central town after heavy clashes

23/4/2017 19:02

        Syrian government forces have captured a central town and adjacent villages, boosting security in nearby areas loyal to President Bashar Assad, and marched deeper into a rebel-held neighborhood of Damascus, Syrian state media and an opposition monitoring group said Sunday.
        
        The latest advances came as U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sent a cable to the Syrian leader on the occasion of Syria's April 17 Independence Day.
        
        "We count on your country's involvement and effective contribution to help build a stronger United Nations organization and move our efforts forward to ensure peace, development and human rights for all people," the letter said, according to a copy released by Assad's office.
        
        Assad's government still holds the country's seat at the United Nations, unlike the 22-member Arab League, which suspended Syria's membership in 2012.