The Syrian Arab Army’s 1st Division and Hezbollah (Party of God) have asserted control over three hills in the Western Mountains that overlook the resort city of Al-Zabadani in the Rif Dimashq Governorate on Thursday.

Continuing their quiet assault on the Syrian Al-Qaeda group “Jabhat Al-Nusra” (Victory Front) in the Western Mountains, the 1st Division and Hezbollah captured Sher Al-Jouba and Sher Al-Taaqa after fierce clashes with the former during the wee hours on Thursday morning.

According to a military source, Jabhat Al-Nusra suffered 24 casualties during the battle for these hills, including Nabil Tayseer Al-Yara, Hani Wassam Al-Shareef, Anas Bilaal Marzouq, Yousif ‘Umar Mohsen, Hussein Mohammad Abu Yahya, Monzer ‘Abdullah Al-Rashidi and Thabit Maher Rizqallah.

The source added that these hills are located northeast of the villages of Kafr Yabous and Al-Matalteen, overlooking the western ridge of Al-Zabadani.

Hezbollah and the 1st Division were also able to take control of Ish Al-Nusour located west of Al-Zabdani, killing 14 militants from Jabhat Al-Nusra and Liwaa Suqour Al-Zabadani (Falcons of Zabadani Brigades) on Thursday.