The Syrian army continues to push back foreign-backed militants fighting against the government on the outskirts of the capital Damascus Press TV reports.

On Saturday, the army persevered with its tactical operations against the militants’ positions in al-Qaboun area, north of the capital.

“We are in the industrial zone of Qaboun. Our mission is to form a defense line and monitor the militants’ movements to fight their infiltration into the capital,” said an army soldier.

The army has secured some of the factories used by the militants as strongholds and asked the owners to return and continue with their ordinary work.

“After the militants attacked the factories and kicked their owners out, our mission started to eliminate them. During the days, they use advanced sniper guns. At nights, they try to infiltrate but we push them back,” said another soldier.

Meanwhile, preparations were underway for a large-scale operation to flush out the militants from the whole region.

Syria has been gripped by deadly unrest since 2011. According to reports, the Western powers and their regional allies -- especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey -- are supporting the militants operating inside the country.

According to the United Nations, more than 100,000 people have been killed and millions displaced due to the turmoil that has gripped Syria for over two years.

The UN also says more than four million other Syrians will be forced out of their homes in 2014 by the escalating conflict in the country.

Two million Syrians are expected to take refuge outside the country while another 2.25 million are predicted to be internally displaced during the next year.

HK