Illustrative image.
Late on July 7, two soldiers of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) elite 4th Division were killed as a result of an attack in the town of Asal Alward that is located in the Western Qalamun mountain chain, right on Syria’s border with Lebanon.
The two soldiers were reportedly killed when a checkpoint they were manning in Asal Alward center was attacked by unidentified militants. Heavy clashes broke out during the attack. SAA troops targeted an abandoned house where the militants took cover with hand grenades. However, the militants were able to flee.
The unprecedented attack led to some tensions in Asal Alward. In response, the SAA deployed reinforcements at the town.
In the early years of the war in Syria, Asal Alward was one of the main strongholds of the al-Qaeda-affiliated Nusra Front [now rebranded as Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham] and ISIS in the Western Qalamun. The town was liberated by the SAA and Lebanese Hezbollah in April 2014.
No side has claimed responsibility for the deadly attack in Asal Alward, so far. The attack appears to be the work of experienced militants, most likely members of a terrorist group.
The SAA will likely respond to the attack by stepping up its security measures in Asal Alward and nearby areas in the Western Qalamun. Hezbollah, who is still present near Asal Alward, could also help secure the town.
It’s the Zionuts. It always is in that neighborhood.