DAMASCUS, SYRIA (0:45 A.M.) – A renewed rebel offensive in the western Daraa countryside did not go to plan on Monday as an entrenched ISIS franchise group inflicted heavy casualties upon the Free Syrian Army (FSA).
After having two months to set up a defensive line due to capturing the area in February, the ISIS-linked Jaish Khalid ibn al-Walid repelled a rebel attack on the towns of Adwan, Jaleen and Tasil with big consequences to follow for FSA fighters involved in the offensive.
With darkness settling over Daraa province, 17 FSA fighters were scattered dead across the battlefield while some 15 militants sustained serious injuries. In addition, Jaish Khalid ibn al-Walid damaged one tank and destroyed three bulldozers on the outskirts of Jaleen.
Pictures from ISIS’ side of events, showing the battle in mention:
Chris Tomson | AMN
Chris Tomson | AMN
Chris Tomson | AMN
Chris Tomson | AMN
Meanwhile, videos published by Southern Front FSA groups revealed that rebel forces had deployed tanks and other weaponry for the unsuccessful offensive:
The bulk of the rebel attack was focused around Tall Ashtara, an important hilltop protecting Adwan and Tasil. Nevertheless, the high point was still in ISIS hands by the end of the day:
Exploiting a newly brokered safe zone covering Daraa province, FSA and allied forces are reportedly in the process of transferring their militants from the provincial capital to the countryside in a bid to defeat the ISIS affiliate once and for all.
224 - 224Shares
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.