Following some setbacks in the month of May for the Syrian Arab Army’s 105th Brigade of the Republican Guard, the latter surprised the militants from Jaysh Al-Islam (Army of Islam) with a powerful assault at the northern front of the East Ghouta, resulting in substantial gains for the Syrian Armed Forces and significant setbacks for Zahran Alloush’s fighters.
On Thursday morning, the SAA’s 105th Brigade – in coordination with the National Defense Forces (NDF) and the Palestine Liberation Army (Palestinian branch of the SAA) – took advantage of Jaysh Al-Islam’ fractured defenses after two straight weeks of firefights, killing 17 enemy combatants and destroying two armored vehicles that were mounted with 23mm anti-aircraft machine guns.
Not long after the morning clashes, the Syrian Arab Air Force (SAAF) entered the battle and provided the Republican Guard and NDF with a boost from above, as they pounded the enemy combatants from Jaysh Al-Islam inside the town of Hosh Al-Farah and the nearby village of Al-Reehan in the Rif Dimashq Governorate.
The Syrian Armed Forces declared the town of Hosh Al-Farah under fire-control after a series of firefights and airstrikes on Thursday; this successful operation has positioned the Republican Guard to continue their siege of the East Ghouta.
In addition to their success at Hosh Al-Farah, the Syrian Armed Forces advanced at the Aliyah Farms of Douma after fierce clashes with Jaysh Al-Islam and their allies; however, the latter did achieve some success near the Al-Wafadeen Refugee Camp as a result of their powerful assault from the rebel stronghold of Douma.
Over the last two days, the Syrian Armed Forces have unearthed two large tunnels belonging to militants of Jaysh Al-Islam in the cities of Jobar and Harasta; these tunnels possessed a multitude of rockets, mortars, assault rifles, ammunition, first-aid kits, canned food, telecommunication equipment, and forged passports.
