Earlier today, the Syrian Arab Army’s prestigious 4th Mechanized Division made significant progress in the East Ghouta, capturing the surrounding farms in the village of Balaa Al-Jadeeda; this opened another path to the rebel-held village of Deir ‘Assifeer. The military operations in Balaa Al-Jadeeda have just begun for the 4th Mechanized Division, but the objective appears to be contingent on the control of the farms north of Deir Assifeer and to begin the envelopment of Zamalka, ‘Arbeen, and ‘Ayn Tarma.
West of Balaa Al-Jadeeda, the 4th Division has taken control of the majority of Hateeta Al-Jarish after intense clashes all day. While Jaysh Al-Islam is still in the village, the majority of their fighters have retreated south to Zebdeen, where they will likely regroup in order to counter the 4th Division’s offensive.
On the Jobar front, the 105th Brigade of the Republican Guard suffered a setback last week, losing the integral Teacher’s Tower; however, they were able to fight their way back to the building after recapturing the building blocks in the vicinity – clashes are still ongoing in the area. Currently, the fiercest firefights are taking place at the Al-Manasheer Roundabout, where early this morning the SAA killed a Lebanese field commander from Jaysh Al-Islam along with 14 of his companions, including a Sudanese fighter.
• Mou’az Al-Saba’a (Lebanese field commander of Jaysh Al-Islam in Jobar)
After capturing Hawash Al-Farah last week, the 105th Brigade is under attack by Jaysh Al-Islam fighters that have regrouped following their retreat south. Along with Hawash Al-Farah, Jaysh Al-Islam has attacked the 105th Brigade at the village of Al-Rayan (west of Hawash Al-Farah); despite this, they have had limited success breaking through the enemy’s frontlines.
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