Jaish Alislam rebel group announced they captured a number of regime positions on the outskirts of eastern Ghouta in rural Damascus after they launched an offensive against regime forces in the area on Monday. Hours after the offensive has been announced, Jaish Alislam fighters said they took control of the buildings block and Badr Mosque overlooking the Almarj airbase. Dozens of pro-regime militants were reportedly killed and injured in the rebel attack.
Jaish Alislam fighters said they also captured Almarj petrol station and the surrounding regime positions located on the main road of eastern Ghouta. The rebel offensive, launched on a 500-meter frontline, aims to drive back regime forces who have been trying to advance on rebel-held areas in eastern Ghouta.
In Daraya west of Damascus, Shuhadaa’ Alislam Brigade said they repelled attempts by regime forces to break into the southern side of the district. Fighters of the FSA group said they destroyed a ZSU-23-4 (Shilka) armored vehicle as well as killed and injured a number of pro-regime militants.
In rural Latakia, meanwhile, rebel and FSA fighters said they re-captured the Shillif hilltop in the Alakrad Mount area after violent clashes with regime forces on Monday.
Rebel and FSA fighters also said on Monday that they seized control of the water pumping station, a strategic regime position in the Alghab plain in rural Hama. The regime position overlooks the rebel-held towns of Altwaina, Alhurra and Qalet Almadiq.
Ahrar Alsham fighters on Monday shelled regime positions inside Hama airbase in response to bombardment by regime forces on rebel-held areas in northern rural Hama. (Source: Syrian Coalition + Agencies)