The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

Regime forces supported by intensive shelling achieve a new advancement in the vicinity of Damascus within their quest to separate the capital from its Eastern Ghouta

Clashes violently continue between fighters of Rahman Corps against the regime forces supported by gunmen loyal to them in areas in the vicinity of Ein Tarma town and its Valley near it, after the regime forces continued their offensive violent in an attempt to reduce the factions’ range of controlled areas, within their quest to separate Jobar neighbourhood from the Eastern Ghouta, by advancing in areas adjacent to AlMotahalik AlJanobi which separates east Damascus from the western outskirts of in the Eastern Ghouta, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights learned that the regime forces were able on Tuesday the 11th of July 2017 to advance and control the meat plant in the vicinity of Ein Tarma from side of the valley, while the regime forces controlled houses located to the east of the marble factory from the same area, the clashes were accompanied by intense exchange of shelling between both parties, which caused more casualties in the ranks of both of them.

Also 2 fighters of Rahman Corps were killed and 7 others were injured in the continuous clashes against the regime forces and militiamen loyal to them in the area of Ein Tarma Valley in the Eastern Ghouta, where the regime forces seek to achieve more advancement in the area and control more areas, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights published earlier that the regime forces managed, following violent clashes, to make a new advancement into Ein Tarma Valley and to take control of a block that consists of a warehouse and 4 houses. Casualties were reported at both sides but what has been confirmed so far is the death of 3 fighters of Al-Rahman Corps in addition to the injury of 12 others with various degrees of severity. Casualties among the regime forces were also confirmed.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights had also published about 3 days ago that the regime forces managed to take control of the marble factory and locations in its surroundings. This advancement comes as part of the quest of the regime forces to achieve an advancement into the area and reduce the size of areas controlled by the factions at the outskirts of the Eastern Ghouta, which is adjacent to Jobar, in an attempt to clamp down on Jobar and separate it from the Eastern Ghouta, thus forcing its fighters to withdraw from the neighborhood before besieging it. In addition, the regime forces managed to achieve a new advancement a few days ago into Ein Tarma area which is located at the western outskirts of the Eastern Ghouta, as they managed to take control of a block of about 10 houses near Ein Tarma from the side of AlMotahalik AlJanobi (the Southern Bypass), amid violent clashes in an attempt by Al-Rahman Corps to regain control over the area. Clashes were accompanied by heavy shelling by the regime forces and an exchange of targeting between both sides. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also published about 10 days ago that the regime forces managed to take control of a driving school near Ein Tarma village, amid several attempts by the regime forces to advance more in the area, while the factions were seeking to regain control over the area. The clashes in Ein Tarma Valley and in the vicinity of Ein Tarma town come in conjunction with clashes in Jobar neighborhood, in an attempt by the regime forces to end the presence of the factions there, by turning around the west of Jobar and forcing the factions to withdraw from the neighborhood, by advancing through Ein Tarma Valley and on AlMotahalik AlJanobi (the Southern Bypass). The regime forces are also seeking to tighten the siege on the Eastern Ghouta, which has been besieged since 2013.