Syrian Army tightens noose around rebel-held Douma, captures new town

The Syrian Army managed today to fully recapture Al-Reyhan town deep in the rebel stronghold of the Eastern Ghouta region after severe battles with the Islamist militants.

Having repelled a major attack by the Saudi-backed Jaush al-Islam militiamen on Sunday morning, the government troops launched a full-scale counteroffensive, which granted them full control of the Reyhan Cemetery, local school and mosque.

Today, the government forces continued their advance, overrunning the rebels’ last defense lines in the western flanks of the town.

By capturing Al-Reyhan, the Syrian Army is now positioned nearly 2 km from the rebel-bastion of Douma.