On June 21, a source in the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) told SouthFront that the SAA deployed BM-30 Smerch and BM-27 Uragan heavy rocket launchers along with several launchers of OTR-21 Tochka missile in the southern governorate of Daraa.
SAA and the #Russia/n Army are sending more reinforcements to the south #OpBasalt pic.twitter.com/xzvO0ERvoD
— Wael ?? (@WaelAlRussi) June 21, 2018
The BM-27 Uragan has a range of 90km, while the BM-30 Smerch can hit targets as far as 90km away from its position. On the other hand, the Soviet-made OTR-21 Tochka tactical ballistic missile has a range of over 70km and a 482kg high explosive warhead. The Soviet ballistic missile is also known for its high accuracy.
According to the source, these rockets and missile launchers will support the upcoming large scale military operation of the SAA and its allies in southern Syria. Such heavy weapons were not used in that part of Syria before.
While the SAA operation is yet to begin officially, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported that the SAA artillery and rocket launchers shelled several positions and fortifications of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) in the towns of Busra al-Harir and Hirak in the eastern countryside of Daraa on June 21.
The advantage in fire power of the SAA and its allies will play a key role in the upcoming battle. FSA fighters in southern Syria will likely face great difficulties defending their positions, epically in the open areas.
