Jobar Military Operations Reaching Final Stages; Jaysh Al-Islam Infiltrates into Hawash Al-Farah

The Syrian Arab Army’s 105th Brigade of the Republican Guard carried out a number of operations in east Jobar today, securing the eastern hub of the district, while also killing scores of Jaysh Al-Islam militants. With Tayba Mosque, Fatina Towers, Teachers Tower, and the Old Jobar Cemetery under the 105th Brigade’s control, Jaysh Al-Islam will have to find a way to withstand the SAA’s attack at Al-Manasher Roundabout and Parliament Square.

According to a military source, 75 percent of the Jobar District is currently under the 105th Brigade’s control. The source also added that an officer from the 105th Brigade issued a message over a loud speaker to the militants entrenched in Jobar to either surrender or face annihilation.

Militants from Jaysh Al-Islam attempted to infiltrate into the recently captured village of Hawash Al-Farah in the East Ghouta; however, the attack was forestalled by the 105th Brigade on the southern outskirts of the village. Initially, the militants were able to breach the 105th Brigade’s frontline defense, but the resistance by the latter and Hezbollah fighters was enough to force Jaysh Al-Islam to retreat south. According to a military source, 19 Jaysh Al-Islam militants were confirmed killed-in-action, including Mustafa Sabahi (AKA “Abu Imad Al-Kuwaiti”) and Rifaat Al-Ahmad Badr. The source also added that the SAA suffered 8 casualties during the battle, but no Hezbollah fighters were killed.

40 militants from Liwaa Suqour Al-Zabadani (Falcons of Zabadani Brigades) surrendered themselves to the Syrian security forces earlier today, after weeks of negotiating the fighters’ amnesty status. Some of the militants attempted to secure amnesty for the Lebanese fighters in Liwaa Suqour Al-Zabadani; this was not accepted by the National Reconciliation Office.