Syria: The historic castle Krak des Chevaliers was recaptured

The rebels who controlled left the castle Krak des Chevaliers. The fort from the era of the Crusades is included in the list of UNESCO's world historical heritage since 2006. The military staged a conceit of the Syrian flag on its battlements.

The recapture is considered a significant victory from both militarily and symbolic side, for the forces of the regime of Bashar al-Assad on the conflicting rebel groups. The Syrian army also recaptured most of the small town of Al Hosni, under the castle, which was under siege by the Syrian forces for weeks, until many rebels left this morning and army forces entered the interior, according its residents.

The siege of Krak des Chevaliers, the fortress which was built by the Knights of St. John, echoes the tactics of the Islamic dynasty of Mamluk in the 13th century against the Crusaders who were in the fort. The capture of the town and the castle is part of a campaign to regain control in towns and villages along the border between Syria and Lebanon, as well as a highway that leads from Damascus to the shores of the country and is considered vulnerable to attack by dissidents.

The castle was considered one of the best preserved of its kind in the world, but was hit by mortars, as the rebels were hiding behind the thick walls, which were built to withstand the battles that were given hundreds of years ago.