Yesterday, the last group of militants holding the town of Ain al-Fijah withdrew from the area per an agreement reached with the Syrian government. For their part, the pro-government forces moved into the town and secured it. Soon enough the militants who surrendered but wish not to take up the amnesty offer will be transferred to Idlib province.

Ain al-Fijah is the principal town within the Wadi Barada spring valley area which controls the waterways to Damascus. In short, this small rural town keeps the entirety of the Syrian capital supplied with fresh water.

The water system at Ain al-Fijah was purposely sabotaged by militants during the pro-government offensive to recapture the town and surrounding areas in Wadi Barada. Tomorrow, engineers will be send to repair the waterways and their task is expected to take two (2) weeks to complete.

Andrew Illingworth | AMN
Andrew Illingworth | AMN
Andrew Illingworth | AMN
Andrew Illingworth | AMN
Andrew Illingworth | AMN
Andrew Illingworth | AMN
Andrew Illingworth | AMN

 

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Stern Daler
2017-01-29 06:50

Pic 2, 3 and 6 prove IMHO that the damage from the government attack which the terrorist claimed broke the water flow to Damascus was not the reason of the shortages.
comment image
The collapsed roof does not hinder the water flow. A comment at Bellingcat suggested that already about a month ago. http://linkis.com/www.bellingcat.com/n/Lb7iB The rebels shut the water barrier/overflow intentionally.

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William Gruff
William Gruff
2017-01-29 13:44
Reply to  Stern Daler

Eliot Higgins (bellingcat) is MI6/CIA disinformation outlet.
Nothing on his blog is worth consideration.

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Stern Daler
2017-02-01 16:33
Reply to  William Gruff

Not MI6 Eliot Higgins (bellingcat) but the COMMENT(s). LOL. They knew more than him. One of the commentators knew the water system. Gravity driven so no diesel. When You compare his pic with them here You see that the fallen in roof has nothing to do with blocking the water… And that was the claim. And that was also was explained in the comments there. Look here… there is a little water flowing. Up stream is a shutter… At least when I went there first.

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Barmin1981
2017-01-29 06:25

Видео обзор карты боевых действий в Сирии и Ираке от 29.01.2017года

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est338lapua
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est338lapua
2017-01-29 08:24

it must have been cold and humid to hold that position at night,even on the day,Bless Suria al Assad

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Stern Daler
2017-01-29 09:48
Reply to  est338lapua

Yes definitely uncomfortable outside or in a car in the mountains. But the men have these gray covers around their knees. Their thick clothing is probably also not only body armor. Good supplies? I hope so.

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Daeshbags Sux
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Daeshbags Sux
2017-01-29 01:39

Bravo!
As good newss never go alone, Trump and Putin had a phone-call and… agreed on “real coordination” against ISIL.
Klintsevich, the Russian equivalent to McCain, estimated that if there’s good coordination, Daesh can be defeated in a month.
Well, in my advice, they can be terminated in less than a week, if you except the re-taking of some cities which might be tricky (if you want to avoid collateral damages… It’s clear that if you kill everybody… Thus, the goal bein to liberate them, this is no option)

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Adam_Kafei
2017-01-29 02:08
Reply to  Daeshbags Sux

I think a month is highly ambitious, defeating Daesh in a week I’m afraid is pure fantasy, even if you simply level everything in your path which would involve an amount of airpower that simply isn’t available, you couldn’t cover that much territory in a week. From what I see I’d suggest the best timescale is six months unless someone other than the SAA begins a major ground campaign, that’s provided they are able to push through Daesh territory at a constant fair pace. I’d suggest if the SAA can push through Dier Hafir and take the Jirah airbase, that… Read more »

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Nestor Arapa
Nestor Arapa
2017-01-29 03:56
Reply to  Daeshbags Sux

Digo mas fácil es derrotar a ISIS que a otros grupos mercenarios que son financiados por países enemigos a SIria.

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Nestor Arapa
2017-01-29 04:02
Reply to  Daeshbags Sux

Mas fácil va ser derrotar a ISIS que a otros grupos mercenarios que son financiados desde el exterior enemigos de Siria.

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Stern Daler
2017-01-29 07:51
Reply to  Nestor Arapa

All need money and supplies. Shut both down and they are reduced to robbers brandishing their AK 47 at the local bank and grocery store – and scaring the natives.

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Stern Daler
2017-01-29 06:52
Reply to  Daeshbags Sux

Wishful time scale. p.s. Take the oil fields and they are reduced to holding out or hit and run. Even then the IS would try to continue as partisans. Maybe preventing payments to their foot soldiers can reduce the time scale to a couple of years or months – depending on how effective You are. BTW. Only the French can fight solely for honor. Others need food and drink. Not only for themselves but also for their kin. Tongue out:

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Assad must stay
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Assad must stay
2017-01-29 09:53
Reply to  Daeshbags Sux

You should know that “impossible” is however french. 2 weeks is a huge joke : tell me how you kill 15000 ISIS DB in 2 weeks, there is no other way, yo can’t send them to Idlib.
At least 2 month (2 years?), and you should take Raqqa in how many time ❓
But i guess the US will run crabby at the beginning, and there already busy in Irak.

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Floriangeyer
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Floriangeyer
2017-01-29 12:08

Even if we ignore the fact that any US Coalition actions in Syria are illegal as there is no UN mandate or invitation from the elected government of Syria for the US coalition to be there, eradication of terrorism in Syria should not be selective. All the Al Nusra franchises and ISIS franchises must be eradicated wherever they are in the world. To do this the supply of money, men and arms has to be stopped, which means putting immense pressure on Saudi Arabia,QATAR, Turkey and also the CIA /MI6 etc. The corrupt people with the money that fund the… Read more »

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jojo
jojo
2017-01-29 02:22

“For their part, the pro-government forces moved into the town and secured it.” And they must remain there for a good length of time after the water is repaired to catch any terrorists/rebels who try to come back and start problems all over again. “Soon enough the militants who surrendered but wish not to take up the amnesty offer will be transferred to Idlib province.” Perhaps they’ll get caught up in some of the feuds and battles between rebel groups going on there in recent weeks. One can only hope that stuffing more terrorists there causes it to explode or… Read more »

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