The Syrian army, backed by local militia forces, has regained control over the Mardj-al-Sultan military airbase outside Damascus, a source in the militia told RIA Novosti Monday. "Marj al-Sultan Airbase has been freed. Terrorists from the al-Nusra Front and the Jaish al-Islam have retreated toward Hush al-Salehi. Dozens of militants have been killed," the source told RIA Novosti. The Mardj-al-Sultan airbase is located in Douma, a town 18 kilometers from Damascus. It served as a major stronghold for the Jaish al-Islam terrorist group. According to the source, the Syrian army and militia have managed to establish a security zone around the airbase. Army engineers are demining the area. On November 10, the Syrian army with Russia's air support managed to break the blockade of the Kweiris airbase in eastern Aleppo province. Kweiris airbase has been besieged by terrorist groups for more than three years. The airport's garrison of about 1,000 officers and soldiers repelled over 400 attacks by militants, killing about 1,500 terrorists.
