The Syrian Arab Army’s 105th Brigade of the Republican Guard has quietly expanded its control in the Jobar District (Rif Dimashq Governorate) over the last few days, capturing several building blocks located west of the imperative Jobar Industrial School. Earlier today, an earthquake-like shockwave was felt in the district following the collapse of a large residential building that was shelled for weeks – no civilians were in the vicinity. Fierce clashes continue on this volatile front, as the 105th Brigade strives to impose its control over the areas captured by Jaysh Al-Islam (“Army of Islam”).
After 2 weeks of violent firefights in the Yarmouk Camp District between fighters from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC) and the Al-Nusra Front (Jabhat Al-Nusra), a ceasefire contingency has been approved and agreed upon. The factions agreed to allow humanitarian aid to the 16,000 civilians still living in the dilapidated district, while also reopening the roads leading to Yalda and Babeela. The agreement also included the Syrian Government, who will be responsible in overseeing the distribution of aid to the civilians.
On the northern front of the East Ghouta, the 105th Brigade carried out a series of raids at the farms in the town of Al-Reehaan, killing scores of militants from Jaysh Al-Islam in the process. Among the militants killed at the Al-Reehaan Farms was Mou’adh Al-Mashateh – a Jaysh Al-Islam fighter that possessed Libyan documents.
Jaysh Al-Islam fighters entrenched at Douma have begun to feel the strain of civilian upheaval coalesced with a mounting siege from the 105th Brigade on the outskirts of this East Ghouta city. Throngs of civilians living within the city of Douma’s borders have demonstrated against the inflated food prices that have been imposed on them by Jaysh Al-Islam’s leader, Zahran Alloush. To further add to Jaysh Al-Islam’s dismay, the 105th Brigade conducted a successful ambush on the road leading into the city, killing 14 militants as a result.
The identified Jaysh Al-Islam militants killed at Douma:
1. ‘Umar Noural-deen
2. Kaamal Al-Reehaani
3. Faayez Bakaar
4. Yasseen Al-Dajj
5. Mohammad Khayr Yasseen (“Abu Uthman)