Syrian army starts major offensive to 'liberate areas': state TV

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syria's military started a "big attack" on Thursday to take back towns and villages, the armed forces chief of staff said in comments published in state media. The operation aims to "liberate areas and towns which have suffered from terrorism," Lt. Gen. Ali Abdullah Ayoub said according to state television. (Writing by Sylvia Westall; Editing by Dominic Evans)