Damascus: Syrian troops Thursday killed some 200 rebels during security operations against the rebels’ gatherings in the countryside of Damascus, state media reported.

The Syrian government forces targeted the rebels’ positions in the hills overlooking the towns of Buhairan, Saber, Bala’a and other towns in Damascus’ countryside, Xinhua reported.

Over 160,000 people have reportedly been killed and millions displaced so far since the Syrian crisis started in March 2011.

IANS