Syrian Army advances in East Ghouta after Islamists violate ceasefire

The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) launched a sudden attack in the East Ghouta region of Damascus, Friday, after Jaysh Al-Islam violated terms of their ceasefire by shelling government areas.

Led by the 105th Brigade of the Republican Guard and Special Mission Forces, the Syrian Arab Army stormed Jaysh Al-Islam’s positions at the town of Hawsh Al-Salihiyah, hitting the latter’s defenses from the Al-Zarqiyah axis.

According to a military source in Damascus, the Syrian Arab Army managed to advance at least 400 meters from the Al-Zarqiyah axis, capturing most of the farms outside of Hawsh Al-Salihiyah and some building blocks inside the town.

Jaysh Al-Islam launched three counter-attacks throughout the day to recapture the territory they lost; however, they failed each time, losing several combatants in the process.

The Syrian Army was successful in repelling the Jaysh Al-Islam counter-attacks because they focused their artillery on the large hilltop of Tal Firzat, where the latter was attempting to move reinforcements from in the East Ghouta.