Regime forces tighten noose on opposition in Zabadani

The Syrian army, assisted by Hezbollah, is making gains in the city of Zabadani against opposition fighters, who have barricaded themselves in the old town.
EDITOR'S NOTE: REUTERS CANNOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY CONTENT OF VIDEO FROM WHICH THIS STILL IMAGE WAS TAKEN. A member of the Free Syria Army with an assault rifle stands guard during a patrol in the western border town of Zabadani in this undated still image taken from amateur video obtained by Reuters January 16, 2012. Masked gunmen prowl the rain-swept streets of the once-relaxed Syrian hill resort, which they have transformed into a hub of revolt against President Bashar al-Assad's rule. Zabadani, hugging
A member of the Free Syrian Army with an assault rifle stands guard during a patrol in the western border town of Zabadani in this undated still image taken from amateur video obtained by Reuters, Jan. 16, 2012. - REUTERS/Amateur video
Mustafa al-Haj
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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.

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