The Syrian Army, with the support of armed militia fighters, has liberated 50 villages in the south­east of Aleppo province, a militia source said Tuesday. “Armenpress” reports the aforesaid referring to Sputnik International.

According to the source, residents of at least two villages had begun returning to their households to clear the rubble. “Yesterday, the army advanced deep towards the Idlib province. We have liberated some 50 villages and took hold of an area of about 120 square kilometers [some 46 sq. miles],” a source from the Desert Hawks armed militia group told RIA Novosti. The Desert Hawks was formed at the start of the crisis in Syria four years ago, by retired Syrian army officer Mohamed Jaber.

The unit consists of between 4 and 5 thousand people, comprised of fighters of various religions and from all regions of the country. All of the actions of the militia are fully coordinated with the Syrian army, RIA Novosti reported