Syrian Army soldier launches a mortar round toward insurgents in western Aleppo, Syria. Source: SANA
Late on August 20, Mohamed Hilal Zatima, a former rebel commander, was killed by the Syrian Arab Army (SAA). Zatima was one of more than a hundred gunmen who have been holding up in Daraa al-Balad, the southern part of Daraa city, for nearly two months now.
The former commander was reportedly killed when the army shelled a post he was manning in Tariq al-Sad district with mortars. Several other people, most likely gunmen, were also wounded in the mortar attack.
Mohamed Hilal Zatima, aka “Abu Mohanad”.
Zatima, who is also known by his nom de guerre “Abu Mohanad,” was one of the al-Tawhid Brigade’s top military commanders in Daraa city.
In mid-2018, Zatima was one of thousands of rebels who surrendered to the SAA and joined the reconciliation process. Nevertheless, in the following years, Zatima became one of the main troublemakers in Daraa al-Balad.
Last year, Zatima gained much fame among opposition supporters after threatening a Syrian security officer face to face in a gas station near Daraa city.
Zatima was the second gunmen in Daraa al-Balad to be killed by the SAA in the last ten days. On August 15, a local gunmen named Mahmoud Ali Saleh al-Qutifan was killed, also in a mortar attack.
The killing of Zatima will likely lead to more escalation in Daraa al-Balad. The SAA has been preparing for this. A day earlier, the army’s elite 4th Division deployed heavy rocket launches near Daraa city.
Local leaders in Daraa al-Balad are yet to accept a roadmap presented by Russia to end the crisis in the area. The SAA may soon launch an operation in the area to implement the demands of Syrian authorities with force.
I’d slaughter these shitheads even if they surrender. They are rotten to the core so it’s pointless to expect the terrorists and thugs to be anything other then terrorists and thugs.
This is problem SAA have long had – just 100 armed militants entrenched in a built up are an absolute bitch to dislodge. Mortars are obviously very useful in situation for high angle of incoming attack, but need good spotter intelligence for required accuracy, and on downside high explosive shells do damage to built up infrastructure. Still, infrastructure can be rebuilt and better that than wasting SAA infantry lives in house to house firefights and mines attrition.
Mortar shells aren’t that destructive to material, such are say howitzer shells. 62mm, 82mm, are ment for infantry and are VERY Dangerous to people. Bit more destructive are 120mm mortars. Only one that exceeds and is utterly destructive is Tulipan 240mm mortar which is absolutely devastating.
Good info, thanks. Yes, the 240mm Soviet mortar design has ferocious reputation from its use within Lebanese civil conflict in 1989, where proved insanely destructive to built up areas and against reinforced concrete multi- storey buildings. Still recall media images of huge smoke and dust plumes.
They should use some of them now in Syria and Yemen.
Condolences to the fallen wahabimossad operator. May he rest in pieces…
Good news.