Syrian Army squeezes rebels in Eastern Ghouta as Russia prepares massive aerial campaign

Russian Air Force will help Syrian government troops expel Islamist militants from Eastern Ghouta region through conducting selective airstrikes and cruise missile attack, a well-informed source in the Russian military command said.

Al Masdar News has learnt that Russia's SU-33 fighter jets based on the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov will bomb targets belonging to the Saudi-backed Jaysh al-Islam in Eastern Ghouta as part of a wider military operation currently launched by the Syrian Army to retake the longtime rebels bastion in southeast of Damascus.

The source added that satellite-guided “Kalibr” cruise missiles will also be involved in the campaign by targeting the main and most protected command posts of Jaysh al-Islam.

The prospected military operation comes as Islamist rebels rejected an evacuation agreement proposed by the Syrian government whereby Islamist fighters are relocated to the northwestern province of Idlib.

Hundreds of militants have been evacuated recently by similar deals, opening way for the Syrian government to expand its control around the capital.

Meanwhile, government troops continue to tighten the noose around Islamist rebels in Eastern Ghouta, now advancing toward Hawsh Shalaq – to the west of the recently-recaptured Mida'ani town – from two axes.

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