Houzaifa Halawa, Baladi News
Clashes continue between the rebels on the one hand and regime forces with their allied Iranian militias on the other hand in the Syrian desert in the eastern countryside of al-Suwayda'a and Damascus countryside, in an attempt by the latter to advance on the liberated regions.
In details, the media spokesman for "Lions of the East Army", Saad al-Haj, confirmed that: "the clashes between the rebels and regime forces continue for the 14th day in a row, while the regime's bombardment with artillery shells and missiles on the rebel-held regions goes on along with the intensive airstrikes by the Syrian and Russian warplanes on the same region".
al-Haj added: "Regime forces and the Iranian militias have stopped advancing towards the rebels' positions in the Syrian desert after suffering several heavy strikes, the last of which resulted in the death of at least 40 militants and the destruction of many heavy vehicles along with the burning of a lot of tents".
Regime forces backed by their Russian ally and hundreds of Iranian militants had launched a large-scale attack on the rebels' positions from the axis of Damascus Highway-Baghdad and the axis of eastern al-Suwayda'a, in which the regime managed to control several positions before the rebels could stop their advance and regain control over several areas.
The Syrian Desert is currently considered one of the hottest areas in Syria as its battle is important and crucial to the regime and the rebels alike; and if the regime succeeded, it means securing Iran's road towards the Syrian coast, but if the rebels remained steadfast and liberated more areas, it means that the aim of the strategy of the regime and Iran in Syria is in danger.