DAMASCUS, Syria — The military operation in Zabadani launched by the Syrian regime and supported by Hezbollah continues into its second week. Zabadani lies in the northwest of Rif Dimashq governorate, near the Lebanese border and the road between Damascus and Beirut.
The operation began on July 3 with the objective of regaining control of the city that had fallen to opposition forces in January 2012. On July 15, hundreds of planes flew over the city and dropped 470 barrel bombs.