A screenshot from the video
The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) captured Al-Muhaded hills during its advance on the Al-Tanaf road. With this advance, the SAA deployed in 100 kilometers away from the strategic area of Al-Tanaf on the Syrian-Iraqi border.
On Friday, the SAA deployed a short-range Strela-10 air defense system and a Shilka self-propelled, radar guided anti-aircraft weapon system in the area between Al-Tanaf road and the Al-Seine airport in order to counter possible attacks by enemy warplanes. This step shows that the SAA is very serious in its goal to capture the Al-Tanaf border area.
More elite pro-government fighters arrived the Al-Seine airport in order to participate in the ongoing SAA advance.
It should be noted that so far no evidence confirming the participation of Hizbollah in this attack has appeared online. Hoever, the Syrian opposition argues that Hezbollah plays an important role in the operation. Some pro-opposition media outlets could attempt to use Hezbollah’s presence in the area as a justification of a possible attack by US-led coalition warplanes on SAA forces moving on the road to Al-Tanaf.
#Syria #Damascus SAA – Mens of al-Bustan Forces – Special Forces – Machine Gunners Battalion heading to al-Seen airbase to join the battle. pic.twitter.com/V1fRkUI3Z1
— Ivan Sidorenko (@IvanSidorenko1) May 12, 2017
Menanwhile, photos appeared showing the deployment of the US Special Operations Forces in the Al-Tanaf area, where US troops were engaged in clashes against ISIS alongside with the “Martyrs of the two villages Brigade” – one of the US-backed Free Syrian Army groups.
A commander of the “Martyrs of the two villages Brigade” said that the SAA and Hezbollah are only in 70 kilometers away from Al-Tanaf area and that they would attack government forces if they would advance on militant positions.
