Illustrative image.
On August 10, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) resumed its military operations against militants in the town of Tafas in the western countryside of Syria’s Daraa.
The SAA shelled areas held by the militants inside the town with battle tanks and heavy machine guns then went on to advance in its southern outskirts. Several positions on the road with the nearby town of Yadudah were captured by the army.
No casualties were reported. However, Syrian opposition sources alleged that the militants were able to damage a battle tank and a bulldozer.
The crisis in Tafas began in June when the SAA deployed a large force near the town, where a number of wanted militants have been taking shelter. The army’s pressure led to an agreement with the local negotiation committee in the town. Under the agreement, all militants agreed to be expelled from Daraa. Still, the army had to use force on August 6 to enforce the agreement.
The militants left Tafas on August 8. However, they remained in Daraa. One of those who left the town was none other than ISIS’s top leader in southern Syria, Abu Salem al-Iraqi. The prominent terrorist took shelter in the town of Adawan. Late on August 9, he was killed after being cornered in his hideout by a unit of former rebels that works for the government.
The Syrian intelligence took responsibility for the successful raid on August 10, confirming that Abu Salem was located after fleeing Tafas.
The SAA have apparently resumed its operation in Tafas because more dangerous militants are still hiding there. The town was apparently one of ISIS’s main stronghold in Daraa.
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