Assad forces move to cut last rebel supply lines from Lebanon – World Tribune: Window on the Real World

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NICOSIA — President Bashar Assad has overseen a military campaign that could sever the last rebel supply line to central Syria.

The Syrian Army has captured one of the last rebel strongholds along the border with Lebanon.

Syrian government forces patrol a street in the western town of Zara, near the Lebanese border, which had long been in rebel hands. /AFP/Getty Images — Syrian government forces on March 8 patrol a street in the western town of Zara, near the Lebanese border, which had long been in rebel hands. /AFP/Getty Images

The Army seizure of Zara on March 8 was said to have represented a key step in Assad’s drive to block fighters and supplies from Lebanon.

“After Zara, there is one more village left that the rebels still control along the border,” an opposition source said.

The source said Hosen, which also came under air strikes, marked the last rebel-held community between Lebanon and the central city of Homs.

Zara, attacked by main battle tanks and helicopters, was said to have been emptied of most of its residents in the assault by Syrian forces and the Iranian-sponsored Hizbullah.

The Army has also targeted Yabrud, 30 kilometers from Lebanon and deemed a rebel logistics hub near Damascus.

Opposition sources said the Syrian Air Force helicopters was dropping barrel bombs onto rebel strongholds as Hizbullah forces sought to take over key areas of Yabrud, the last rebel stronghold in the Qalamoun region.

Assad forces move to cut last rebel supply lines from Lebanon, Homs, Yabrud, Zara

Assad forces move to cut last rebel supply lines from Lebanon added by World Tribune on March 10, 2014
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