国际英语新闻:Syria's war on terror to go on: official

DAMASCUS, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Syria said its war on terrorism will go on and not stop until security and stability restored in the country, the state news agency SANA quoted a senior Syrian official as saying on Thursday.

Fahed Jassem al-Furaij, Syria's defense minister said the Syrian army has been on a crushing offensive against the rebel groups in southern part of the country.

He made the remarks during his visit to military camps in the southern region, where the Syrian forces are trying to clear the rebels in the region.

According to SANA, the defense chief was briefed on the details of the military operations there.

Also on Thursday, the Syrian army now controls a key triangle connecting the countryside of three main southern provinces, including the capital Damascus, Syria's official TV reported.

The development came after government troops' latest campaign that started on Sunday to sever rebel supply routes and to strain the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front and like-minded groups, which are active in that area, local media said.

As part of a major offensive, the military campaign in the southern region aims to secure the southern rim of the capital and degrade rebel strength in border areas, according to military experts.

The campaign has enabled the Syrian army to recapture key areas in the three provinces amid ongoing progress in other places, reports said.