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Despite the recent advances by the Syrian Army against ISIS in southern Damascus, the military situation in the area remains complicated. The Syrian Arab Army, the Republican Guard and their allies use the advantage in the firepower (mostly artillery pieces and warplanes) to destroy the ISIS fortifications in the Yarmouk refugee camp area. Nonetheless, the camp is still a populated urban area, which complicates the operation. ISIS members also prevent civilians from leaving the militant-held pocket in order to use them as human shields.
Currently, government forces are contributing their main efforts to clear the urban area located close to the Yarmouk refugee camp. For example, fierce clashes have been ongoing in the al-Kadam area and in the southeastern part of the ISIS-held pocket.
It also should be noted that not all “moderate militants” particiapte in the government-proposed ceasefire that is designed to allow the army to focus on defeating ISIS. Some units of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra, the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda) have attaked the Syrian Army and thus become a target of artillery and air strikes. The pro-opposition media used this to accuse the Syrian government of being hostile to the “moderate opposition”.
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Day by day this ISIS-infested enclave is collapsing. Next will be Rastan and Daraa!
I pray to the LORD!
SAA and their allies should use larger telescopes and infrared cameras.
In this kind of pockets it is cost effective if advance start from left side of the pocket. In this type of pocket dividing pocket in the middle is very expensive.
Yes, Daraa!
How to end the all wars in the world, because its spreading very fast to other countries in the world?
Let every country have the most potent nuclear missiles each.
Exactly if every country has their own nuclear and ICBM then there will be no war because these idiots Trump, May and Macron will think twise before invading a peaceful country.
What weapon is that at 2:56 in video 1? Reminds me of Grad being used as Tow in Aleppo few years back by Liwa al Quds.
Improvised weapons based on existing rockets are regulary used in Syria (there is one on the last image, probably made out of Grad). That one on the video is probably made out of 107mm rocket.
This battle isn’t going to end fast enough without the aid of the Tiger Forces, I’m very disappointed in the performance of the NDF and the Militias. I know its urban warfare and the resistance is strong but still. I’m pretty disappointed,
This is the time for the tigers to rest and regain strength. In due time :).
Unfortunately the Syrian armed forces don’t have the numbers to launch massive offensives all the time anywhere, that’s why they have to rely more on their elite units while the regular army hold up the situations in other spots.
This is a Palestinian forces Liwa Al Quds and PLA etc. with some of the 4th mechanized as support rockets and tanks to push the fronts they have been in the same places and fought under Mjr Gen. Suheil al Hasan please don’t forget all the Syrian generals are more experienced in dealing with ISIS forces. This is nasty building to building fighting and ISIS has been ordered by the Saudis to hold ,defend and behead all captured prisoners.
Own ground forces progress (0600 local) on map attached : https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/286f9d6cb8f35635835d99d020f1f6d798d1d55647e6fca559d9d3c58b4d9d86.jpg North sector : Right flank 100-200 meters axis Yarmouk Street against strong, well prepared and emplaced enemy (HTS) with multiple alternate and fall-back positions on Rija Square. Center units on axis Palestine Street maximum 100 meters (Dai’ish). Left flank advance axis al-Da ‘boul Street Tadaamun district past Ali ibn Ali Talib mosque thru HTS/DaI’ish lines, objective junction with Palestine Street GRID 250620 E, 706550 N (unconfirmed). West sector : Left flank major frontal advances from al-Qadam Railway Station area eastwards, firm line now held 300-400 meters from HTS perimeter road (Sala ad-Din al Ayoubi street). Concurrent assault south east took entire Jorah Orchard area and surrounds. Right flank multiple close quarter engagements in al-Qadam district ongoing in Assali and separate thrust north from Madaniya. South(east) sector : SAA Mainforce axis of advance Yarmouk Street to NW secured Zeyn junction, into al-Taqadum district , objective junction at GRID 249960 E, 705775 N (unconfirmed), but main thrust line may swing left or right depending on tactical situation as enemy defenses are overrun. COMMENT : Dai’ish defense of entire al-Qadam district has been surprisingly effective, enemy has shown good morale, capability and replenished munitions etc. from secure stockpiles and tunnel links to Hajar al-Aswad district. This will change as enemy is depleted as supply lines are destroyed.
DISCLAIMER : All info from usually unreliable sources. DO NOT USE for TARGET CO-ORDINATES ! (LOL)
That was good quality footage on the top video, well shot and clear. The smart phone video was also informative. The government troops and allied militias have gained a lot of experience at clearing operations and the effective use of light, medium and heavy ground weapons. This is essential to any effective clearing operations. Air power, while a huge help when effectively utilized. Can’t gain and hold territory in and of itself. That requires infantry.
It’s also encouraging to see the quantity and quality of modern weapons and equipment being utilized by the clearing forces. You can see from the aerial sit rep maps. That the government forces have advanced on the less built up ground first to decrease the area under terrorist control, and to limit their freedom of movement. Confining them to the built up areas, and boxing them in.
The government also doesn’t have complete freedom of movement through and across the open areas that they’ve established fire control over. Due to close proximity to built up areas where the terrorists are being dislodged from in a methodical manner. Because government forces are vulnerable to sniper and anti armor fire, more so during daylight hours. But unlike the terrorists, government forces can transit those areas with armor if necessary once anti armor weapons have been neutralized and depleted.
The ISIS enclave looks like Texas. Is it coincidence? I don’t think so…