Syrian Observatory for Human Rights chief Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP that the area of Rankous in Qalamun has been under heavy shelling and continuous air raids since Monday, ahead of a plan to storm it.
Meanwhile, a military source reported to AFP that regime forces had taken a hilltop position by Rankus and were surrounding the town.
It is worth noting that the Qalamun region is strategic because it lies along the border with Lebanon and the main highway between Damascus and the city of Homs runs through it.