The Syrian government has captured a key district in the strategically important city of Homs.
Syrian state media said the army has “restored security and stability to the neighbourhood of Khalidiya”, a former rebel stronghold.
"That was a victory of all our fighters and the whole Syrian Army and especially our dear leader, Bashar al-Assad. And God willing, we will get rid of the terrorists in the entire country and the future will be free of killings and under the control of the army,” an unnamed army official told state television.
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claimed fighting was still ongoing.
"Clashes took place between rebels and regime forces, supported by Hezbollah and National Defence Forces, in the southern parts of the Khalidiya neighbourhood," it said.
"Regime forces are bombarding parts, and military reinforcements are arriving as advancing regime forces try to establish full control."