By Wassim Essa, click to see the full-size image
On March 21, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and the Tiger Forces backed up by the Russian Aerospace Forces captured over 70% of the Ayn Tarma farms in the western part of the Eastern Ghouta region, according to the Hezbollah media wing.
Syrian pro-government sources also reported that the SAA had captured large parts of the town of Hazzah, located east of the farms.
Faylaq al-Rahman, which controls the Ayn Tarma district and its farms, didn’t release any statement regarding the recent advance of the SAA in its areas. This could be a sign that the armed group’s defense is collapsing. Dozens of its fighters have surrendered to the SAA over the past two days, according to pro-government sources.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defense of Russia confirmed that over 65% of the East Ghouta region is currently under the control of the SAA and its allies. The ministry also said that over 80,000 civilians had been evacuated from the region by the SAA so far.
According to Syrian pro-government activists, the SAA is currently planning to capture Ayn Tarma and to reach the southern roundabout north of it. The goal of this effort is to separate militants operating in the districts of Jobar and Irbin from each other. This maneuver will likely lead to the full collapse of the militants’ defense in the western part of Eastern Ghouta.
