Syrian Army forces seek to take southern Damascus from ISIS terrorists

Syrian regime army has mobilized troops in the southern suburbs of Damascus, seeking to attack last ISIS pockets, local activists said Wednesday.

The regime aims to clean out all suburbs of Damascus from rebels and militant groups by war or reconciliation deals. Such hope faced with obstacles as the US strike looms over deadly poison gas attack on Douma town four days ago.

Local clerics and pro-regime mediators have played key role in assisting Bashar al-Assad to regain control in southern and eastern Damascus.

Saleh al-Khatib, prominent cleric was wounded on Wednesday in the town of Yalda when unknown assailants opened fire on him over his calls to reconcile with the Assad regime.

Sources said on Saturday that the regime demanded rebels to fight Daesh and Nusra Front before in order to allow them leaving to northern Idlib province,

The regime has reached a deal with the reconciliation committees in the suburbs of Bait Sahm, Yalda and Babila to urge rebels to launch an attack on last ISIS pockets in Yarmouk Camp, Qadam and al-Hajar al-Aswad districts.

Daesh took Qadam neighborhood on March 20 after surprise attack on regime forces left more than 60 troops killed.

The regime promised to settle the detainees’ file and to retune the farmers to their lands if rebel abided by the deal.

Jaish al-Islam rebel group has refused the deal while other rebel factions have agreed on the Russian-brokered reconciliation deal.

The deadliest Eastern Ghouta offensive sent a warning signal to rebel groups around the capital. Burning your areas of control or leaving peacefully to northern Idlib province, activists and rebels commanders say.

Russia, the de-facto ruler of Syria, has made it clear no rebel presence in Damascus or its countryside.

Source: Zaman Al Wasl