Sunday proved to be the bloodiest day in the collection of farms located east of Damascus known as the “East Ghouta” this year, as a number of cities were the scene of some of the most intense firefights around Syria.
The day began with the Syrian Arab Army’s 105th Brigade of the Republican Guard unearthing a 600 meter long tunnel in the city of Jobar after fierce clashes with Jaysh Al-Islam (Army of Islam) and Faylaq Al-Rahman (Al-Rahman Corps) near the Old Cemetery; this assault resulted in death of 11 soldiers from the SAA’s 105th Brigade and 21 militants from the Islamist rebel groups.
According to a source from the Republican Guard, the tunnel was fully equipped with ventilation pipes, a living quarter, and a large storage facility that contained automatic rifles, mortar shells, ammunition, rockets, telecommunication devices, food, and medical supplies.
Meanwhile, to the northeast of Jobar, Jaysh Al-Islam continued their offensive at the city of Harasta, launching a series of attacks on the National Defense Forces’ positions near the Army Base after they seized one of the buildings during their assault on Saturday.
Unfortunately for Jaysh Al-Islam, their second round of attacks on the Syrian Armed Forces’ defensive positions did not net any significant gains, as the latter was able to repel the Islamist rebel group’s advance in the city, while killed 16 confirmed enemy combatants in the process – 7 NDF soldiers were also reportedly killed during Sunday’s clashes.
Following the morning of clashes, the Syrian Arab Air Force (SAAF) entered the battle, carrying out over 60 airstrikes that targeted the cities of Harasta, Douma, Qaboun, Jobar, and Zebdeen in the East Ghouta.
According to rebel social media activists, the airstrikes reportedly killed 82 people in Douma, with some activists reporting over 100.
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