Syrian state media reported that pro-government troops have seized a rebel-held town near the border with Lebanon, continuing a march to dislodge opposition strongholds from along the rugged frontier.

According to the Associated Press, the state news agency SANA said Syrian forces took Sarkha early Monday, April 14, a day after seizing the nearby town of Rankous.

Since November, forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad have captured several rebel strongholds in the mountainous Qalamoun area along the border with Lebanon. The frontier region has long served as a vital supply line for opposition into Damascus.

Syrian soldiers are being aided in their Qalamoun offensive by the Iranian-backed Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah.