The Free Syrian Army (FSA) groups on Tuesday regained control of the Mahroutha area in eastern Qalamoun in the Syrian Desert from the Assad regime forces and their allied foreign militias. The recapture of the area came as part of the “The Land is Ours” offensive the FSA groups launched against the Assad regime on 31 May.
In a statement, the Osoud Alsharqiya FSA group said that fighters of the group launched a barrage of rockets and artillery fire on positions of the Assad regime and the Iranian-backed militias in the early morning hours of Tuesday. The shelling resulted in the destruction of the first line of defense and the killing of a number of pro-regime militants, including an officer.
According to the statement, the FSA group also destroyed several vehicles belonging to regime forces and seized a tank, a number of mortar launchers and other weapons. It added that the FSA groups are currently advancing on the nearby area of Um Rumam which is under the control of regime forces.
At least 180 pro-regime and Iranian-backed militants have so far been killed in the Syrian Desert in recent weeks since the FSA launched the offensive to drive regime forces and the Iranian-backed militias from the area.
The FSA groups control wide areas of the Syrian Desert in east Suweida province and eastern Qalamoun area in Rural Damascus on which regime forces are trying to advance under Russian aerial cover. (Source: Syrian Coalition’s Media Department + Smart News Network)
