GOVERNMENT FORCES PUSH FURTHER IN SYRIAN DESERT, LIBERATE MORE AREAS (MAP)

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The yesterday announcement of a large counter-attack against “regime forces” in the Syrian desert made by US-backed militant gorups have appeared to be a poor PR move as the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and its allies continued expanding their influence in the area northeast of Suweida.

The SAA, the Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP) military wing, Hezbollah and other pro-government units have taken control of the Rahba area deploying in just 30 km from the Scientific Research Battalion area recently liberated by the SAA south of the al-Seen Airbase.

Soome pro-government outlets argue that with this move, government forces are seeking to make a “large pocket” with the militant-held areas of Bir al-Qasab, Shaba, al-Asfar and others. However, indeed, this is not the goal because this desert area is mostly abandoned.

Most likely, US-backed militant groups operating under a brand of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) will focus their efforts to resist the government advance in the area of al-Tanf at the Syrian-Iraqi border. In this case, the presence of the US Special Forces and their allies from the US-led coalition there will be a trump card of the militant groups.

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