Astonishing failure for Islamist counter-attack in east Damascus

BEIRUT, LEBANON (7:30 P.M.) – After a major advance by the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) today in the district of Ayn Tarma, whereby the SAA attacked the suburb from four axes capturing large parts of its southern and western areas, Faylaq al-Rahman militants launched a counter-attack in a bid to retake the areas wrestled from them. In doing so the Islamists only succeeded in sustaining large losses.

Faylaq Al-Rahman rebels had hoped to surprise the SAA and eject its troops from the newly liberated areas before they consolidated control. However, in the event this was not to be as government soldiers were already well-prepared for any counter-attack.

The Islamist militants were to walk into a number of ambush zones set up for them by the SAA throughout the newly liberated areas.

According to a military source, the main component of the ambushes was the use of pre-dialed zones of fire by SAA artillery units. This served to break-up militant concentrations as they approached the contact line.

Reports say that Faylaq al-Rahman lost more than 20 fighters killed in action, the majority of which died as a result of SAA artillery strikes.