Northern Syria has become the primary focus for every major power involved in this 5 year long Syrian conflict; however, it appears their target, the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS), has shifted its attention to the southern province of Dara’a, where a one month long ceasefire is currently taking place between the government and opposition forces.
Undeterred by their recent losses in both northern and central Syria, ISIS is advancing in the southwestern countryside of the Dara’a Governorate, where they have already seized a large chunk of the Israeli and Jordanian borders from the Free Syrian Army’s “Southern Front Brigades” after a few weeks of fighting.
Making matters worse for all non-ISIS parties in the province, the terrorist organization is now 9 km away from the provincial capital of Dara’a after their recent gains, which includes the capture of Sheikh Saad on Thursday.
While, one could argue that 9 km is a considerable distance in military terms; it is not the reality on the ground:
The map above illustrates the Islamic State’s path to Dara’a City from their current positions at the small village of Nahj.
It is not really a question of “if” anymore; it is a question of “when” will ISIS capture the two villages between Nahj and the provincial capital.
The ISIS affiliates “Liwaa Shahada Al-Yarmouk” and “Harakat Al-Muthana” have the manpower needed to capture the aforementioned villages and to attack the Syrian Arab Army’s positions in the western suburbs.
The rebel forces cannot hold their own at this front, but the Syrian Arab Army also cannot wait for the terrorist organization to reach the city.
So, the Syrian government forces are stuck in a bind: launch an offensive to push ISIS back or let them defeat the rebels and threaten Dara’a City.
The procrastination period is over; it will have to be one of those two choices and given ISIS’ rapid advancement in southwest Dara’a, they do not have long.
191 2 - 193Shares
Be Civil
This is a Civilized Place for Public Discussion
Please treat this discussion with the same respect you would a public park. We, too, are a shared community resource — a place to share skills, knowledge and interests through ongoing conversation.
These are not hard and fast rules, merely guidelines to aid the human judgment of our community and keep this a clean and well-lighted place for civilized public discourse.
Make it better
Improve the Discussion
Help us make this a great place for discussion by always working to improve the discussion in some way, however small. If you are not sure your post adds to the conversation, think over what you want to say and try again later.
The topics discussed here matter to us, and we want you to act as if they matter to you, too. Be respectful of the topics and the people discussing them, even if you disagree with some of what is being said.
Now the hard part!
Be Agreeable, Even When You Disagree
You may wish to respond to something by disagreeing with it. That’s fine. But remember to criticize ideas, not people. Please avoid:
Instead, provide reasoned counter-arguments that improve the conversation.