The recent Jaysh Al-Islam (Army of Islam) offensive in the East Ghouta (collection of farms) has wrecked havoc on the fringes of the Syrian capital of Damascus this week, as the aforementioned Islamist group has advanced deep into the town of Harasta, while also capturing Tal Kurdi near the newly renovated ‘Adra Industrial City.
On Saturday morning, Jaysh Al-Islam broke into the Dhahiyat Al-Assad after fierce clashes with the National Defense Forces (NDF); however, their success at this area outside of Damascus City would not last long, as the reinforcements from the Syrian Arab Army’s 105th Brigade of the Republican Guard helped drive them out to the Dhahiyat Al-Assad-Harasta axis.
In addition to the fighting at Dhahiyat Al-Assad, Jaysh Al-Islam – in coordination with the Syrian Al-Qaeda group “Jabhat Al-Nusra” – attempted to push into the Harasta National Hospital and Harasta Police Station; but, once again, they were unsuccessful, despite repeated attempts to infiltrate the Syrian Armed Forces’ defensive positions.
The Syrian news station “Al-Ikhbariya” reported from Talet Raas Abou Za’id after the Syrian Arab Army’s 105th Brigade recaptured this imperative hilltop overlooking the Dhahiyah – the report added that the Syrian Armed Forces have recovered positions along the Damascus-Homs International Highway following a series of intense firefights.
Meanwhile, at the Tal Kurdi front, Jaysh Al-Islam targeted the ‘Adra Central Prison in an attempt to recapture this area after conceding this territory to the Syrian Armed Forces last year.
