The withdrawal took place under heavy rebel shelling; however, no casualties were inflicted upon government soldiers during the retreat during the retreat.
AhlulBayt News Agency – On Sunday afternoon, Syrian Arab Army’s (SAA) 102nd Brigade of the Republican Guard pulled back its troops from the Hosh al-Farah farms after seizing the area in a government offensive in eastern Damascus five days ago.
The withdrawal took place under heavy rebel shelling; however, no casualties were inflicted upon government soldiers during the retreat.
A soldier of the 102nd Brigade said the area was almost impossible to defend, thereby explaining what was seemingly a tactical and pre-planned withdrawal.
The SAA was simply unable to properly fortify the farms as they were overlooked by several neighbouring villages which housed hostile rebel fighters who relentlessly fired mortar shells on government troops.
Subsequently, rebel fighters infiltrated the Hosh al-Farah farms during the evening hours and were able to fully reclaim it, thus pushing the SAA’s 102nd Brigade of the Republican Guard back to its starting point.
Furthermore, rebels are now able to reopen the road (and supply line) that runs from neighbouring Mayda’a westwards to the rebel heartland of East Ghouta. READ MORE
