On January 21, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) captured several buildings south of the bus stations in the southern part of Harasta district in eastern Damascus, according to Syrian pro-government sources.
The pro-opposition Syrian news outlet Enab Baladi also claimed that the SAA launched a new attack on the Ahrar al-Sham Movement, Faylaq al-Rahman and Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in the distrcit of Irbin located south of Harasta. However, Faylaq al-Rahman announced that its fighters repelled the SAA attack on Irbin.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that Syrian warplanes supported the SAA attacks and conducted over twenty airstrikes on positions of the Ahrar al-Sham Movement and its allies in the districts of Harasta and Irbin. Pro-government activists also said that the SAA destroyed several fortifications of the militants in Harasta with Syrian-made Golan heavy rockets.
In response, the Ahrar al-Sham Movement and its allies shelled several districts in the eastern part of Damascus, according to SOHR. Pro-government sources claimed that many civilians were injured in the shelling.
The SAA attack in Irbin is likely another attempt to pressure fighters of the Ahrar al-Sham Movement that are still controlling key positions around the Armored Vehicles Base, northeast of Irbin.
Airstrikes:
