Description:

Reports coming out of Syria suggest that the army has retaken control of the ancient Christian town of Sadad from al-Qaeda-linked militants.

This follows week-long clashes in the town, which is located north of Damascus. Al-Nusra Front insurgents had recently captured key areas of the town, including a checkpoint that gave them control of the western part. The fighting forced many people to flee to the nearby city of Homs or remain trapped in their homes. Sadad has a strategic location near the main highway leading to the Syrian capital.