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Syria army 'retakes' key Homs district of Khalidiya Syria army 'retakes' key Homs district of Khalidiya
(about 1 hour later)
Syrian government forces have fully captured a district that was a key rebel stronghold in the central city of Homs, state media report.Syrian government forces have fully captured a district that was a key rebel stronghold in the central city of Homs, state media report.
The Sana news agency said the military had "restored security and stability to the neighbourhood of Khalidiya".The Sana news agency said the military had "restored security and stability to the neighbourhood of Khalidiya".
Activists reported clashes in Khalidiya on Monday morning, but said that most of the area was under army control.Activists reported clashes in Khalidiya on Monday morning, but said that most of the area was under army control.
The announcement comes a month after troops launched an offensive to oust rebels from Syria's third largest city.The announcement comes a month after troops launched an offensive to oust rebels from Syria's third largest city.
Homs has been one of the focuses of a two-year nationwide uprising against President Bashar al-Assad, in which the UN says more than 100,000 people have died.Homs has been one of the focuses of a two-year nationwide uprising against President Bashar al-Assad, in which the UN says more than 100,000 people have died.
Correspondents say the capture of Khalidiya would add further impetus to the counter-offensive by government troops and their allies, which saw the nearby town of Qusair fall in June.
'Almost over''Almost over'
On Monday, Sana reported: "Units of our noble army have completely restored security and stability to Khalidiya neighbourhood and eliminated terrorists who tried to attack the National Hospital in the Homs countryside". On Monday, an unnamed army officer told Syrian state television: "Today, we can report having complete control of the area of Khalidiya."
But the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based activist group, dismissed the claim. "That was a victory of all our fighters and the whole Syrian Army and especially our dear leader, Bashar al-Assad. And God willing, we will get rid of the terrorists in the entire country and the future will be free of killings and under the control of the army."
While it acknowledged that government forces were in control of most of Khalidiya, it said there were still clashes in southern areas. However, UK-based activist group the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights cast doubt on the claim.
Another opposition activist told the Associated Press that the battle for Khalidiya was "almost over". While the group acknowledged that government forces were in control of most of Khalidiya, it said fighting was continuing on Monday.
"Clashes took place between rebels and regime forces, supported by Hezbollah and National Defence Forces, in the southern parts of the Khalidiya neighbourhood," it said.
"Regime forces are bombarding parts, and military reinforcements are arriving as advancing regime forces try to establish full control."
Opposition activists told the AFP news agency that about 90% of Khalidiya was now controlled by the army. One told the Associated Press that the battle for the district was "almost over".
On Sunday, the Arabic TV station al-Mayadeen, which is seen as close to the Syrian government, broadcast what it said was footage of Khalidiya, showing heavily damaged buildings and piles of rubble.On Sunday, the Arabic TV station al-Mayadeen, which is seen as close to the Syrian government, broadcast what it said was footage of Khalidiya, showing heavily damaged buildings and piles of rubble.
It also showed pictures of the interior of the famous Khaled bin Walid mosque, a focal point for anti-government protesters, which troops reportedly seized on Saturday. It also showed pictures of the interior of the historic Khaled bin Walid mosque, a focal point for anti-government protesters. Troops reportedly seized it on Saturday, days after activists accused them of firing shells at the tomb of Khaled bin Walid, a revered figure in Islam.
Only the Old City of Homs and a few other districts are still held by the opposition. Only the Old City of Homs and a few other districts are still held by the opposition. On Monday, government jets bombed the Bab Hud district of the Old City, just south of Khalidiya, according to the Syrian Observatory.
On Monday, government jets bombed the Bab Hud district of the Old City, just south of Khalidiya, according to the Syrian Observatory.
Correspondents say the capture of Khalidiya would add further impetus to the counter-offensive by government troops, backed by fighters from the militant Lebanese Shia Islamist movement Hezbollah, which saw the nearby town of Qusair fall in early June.