Syrian forces on Monday stepped up their attack against Daesh militants in the eastern countryside of Homs, expanding their control in the area and inflicting heavy losses on them.

A military source, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that the army units wrested control of Belas Mountains after they targeted Daesh gatherings and fortifications to the east of Shaer Mount in the eastern countryside of the city.

The source added that scores of Daesh terrorists were killed and several of their vehicles destroyed during the clashes.

Syria has been gripped by civil war since March 2011 with various terrorist groups, including Daesh, currently controlling parts of it.

According to a report by the Syrian Center for Policy Research, the conflict has claimed the lives of over 470,000 people, injured 1.9 million others, and displaced nearly half of the country’s pre-war population of about 23 million within or beyond its borders.