Latest Map of Fronts in Syria until 6 August 2018; Everything You Need to Know About the Past 78 Days
Read in this article; investigation of important changes in battlefield during the last 78 days
The most important changes in the past 78 days are as follows :
South of Syria
The most important changes in battlefield of Syria in the past 78 days is indeed, complete liberation of south of Syria from terrorists of different groups.
Daraa province and specially Daraa city was considered the symbol of revolution by militia; where the evolution started and sparked a war that continued for seven years so far. The complete reclaim of Daraa and Quneitra provinces in south of Syria means an end or at least near end of this war.
It is good to know that more than 20 different terrorist groups occupied southern part of Syria during this seven years and each of these groups were connected to a tyrant of the Middle East or neighboring states such as Jordan or Zionist Occupiers and were supported by military or intelligence.
“ISIS, al Nusrah Front, Jaish al Islam, Jaish Yarmouk, Jaish al Hur, Ahrar al Sham, Liwa al `Izz, Syrian Revolutionaries Front, al-Harrah Martyrs’ Brigades Front, Um al Ousaj Martyrs’ Brigades, Kafr Shams Fidayiah Brigades, Mujahidi Samlin, Al-Nasser Salah al-Deen Brigades, Bani Umayya Brigades, Ababil Houran, Ahrar Jasem, Nazehin Brigades, Yarmouk Martyrs, Jaish al Hurr(Ashaer), Daraa Martyrs’ Brigades, Jaish al Awwal, Sabtin Brigades, Forsan al Golan” are names of main groups, who were active in Daraa and Quneitra provinces and purging these groups was Syrian Government’s top priority to reclaim its soil.
However Syrian and Russian artillery and warplanes attacked rebels’ positions in the region from several days before, ground advances starts on 22 June.
Lajat region reclaimed in only four days from rebels and different militant groups in south of Syria accused each other of betrayal and agreement with the government.
On the other hand, USA and Jordan after negotiation with Russia, stopped supporting terrorists of southern lands and claimed that they do not support them against Syrian Army’s operation.
Militia of south of Syria who were once relying on their western lords and allies, received the answer of their trust and were left alone by the same supporters that convinced more groups to negotiate and surrender.
Syrian Army and allies conducted military operation and negotiation at the same time. With more advances in Daraa province, militia’s defense broke and more villages demanded to negotiate and reject rebels.
Maybe before the start of the operation in south of Syria, no one could imagine that Daraa would be liberated by negotiations; but as the siege became tighter, militia present in southern part of city had no choice other than surrendering and evacuating the city.
Therefore, by national reconciliations in Daraa province, with entrance of Syrian Army to militia inhabited of Daraa and raising Syrian flag in Daraa al- Balad neighborhood, Daraa city is liberated from rebels after seven years.
In between, the important reclaimed regions by reconciliations are Busr al Sham, Ibta`, Dael, Tafas, Nawa, Jasem, Inkhil, Kafr Shams, Harrah.
Liberation of important and strategic height of Harrah was the key to enter occupied lands in Quneitra province for Syrian Army. Tal al Harrah and the radar base on it is the most important height in west of Daraa province which has overlook on Quneitra and Houran plains and also parts of occupied Golan.
Militia knowing the importance, resisted more in this region that others but eventually after several days of heavy fire on the height, militia were forced to retreat from Tal al Harrah.
With liberation of Tal al Harrah, way is paved for Syrian Army and militia present in Quneitra province by accepting the agreement and surrendering, put their weapon down and evacuated Quneitra province.
For more information and details of the agreement in Quneitra province refer to “Militants of Quneitra Will Evacuate! ; Reconciliation Agreement in Quneitra”.
After that, the story of militia in south of Syria was practically over and now Syrian Army is focusing on the last occupied region in southwest of Daraa province, the lands occupied by ISIS.
Although Syrian oppositions and many others counted on ISIS to confront Syrian Army, but ISIS terrorists like other militants were defeated very soon.
Unlike predictions, ISIS defense line in southwest of Daraa province and Tasil town collapsed very quickly and Syrian Army and its allies could force terrorists to retreat from strategic height Jamou` and Tasil town due to fear being surrounded by using correct tactics and attacking from all aspects.
Syrian Army could clean Yarmouk Basin from ISIS completely in 12 days.
So all the southern part of Syria was liberated by Syrian Army and allies in 41 days from 22 June to 1 August.
It is noteworthy that due to reconciliations, during eight stages, about 10 thousand militia and their families transported from Daraa and Quneitra provinces to north of Syria and Idlib province.
Another change in battlefield is the increase in ISIS cores’ activities in deserts of Suwayda and Damascus.
As mentioned earlier, these areas were reclaimed by Syrian Army before but during the agreement with ISIS to evacuate Yarmouk Camp in Damascus and transporting them to deserts of east of Suwayda, it seems that the Army’s previous claim regarding clearing these lands was not accurate or those lands were not cleared and stabilized properly or at least after the operation ISIS could infiltrate there.
In any case, the operation to clear the deserts of east of Suwayda has begun and it is expected these lands be clear once forever from ISIS terrorists.
Northwest of Syria
According to the agreement between Iran, Russia and Turkey, towns Fuah and Kafraya in Idlib province during a three days period from 18 to 20 June were evacuated completely.
The population of xxx and xxx before Syrian war was about 40 thousand people and during the siege in March 2015, with occupation of Idlib city by militia of xxx group, the population reduced to 25 thousand.
During these years, oppressed inhabitants of Fuah and Kafraya were hit by terrorist sharpshooters and occasional bombing by them. According to the census released by central media of Hezbullah, abour 1,900 of inhabitants during bombing by terrorists are martyred and more than 3,500 wounded.
During these three years, the towns were attacked several times and in one of them, terrorists of Jaish al Fath and Jund al Aqsa used 11 suicide bombing cars to break the defense lines but every time they were defeated by high defense of towns.
Evacuation of Fuah and Kafraya is important in terms of:
First, after significant achievements of the Army in south of Syria, enemy’s activities increased around the towns and there were rumors of retaliation attacks to the towns.
Second, Syrian Army’s next operation will be in Idlib province and the presence of people under siege in Fuah and Kafraya could be a weak point for Syrian Army and Moghawemat, so the evacuation had to be done as soon as possible.
It is noteworthy that during the last step of evacuation about 6,800 of inhabitants evacuated.
East of Syria
The most important change in east of Syria is vast advances of Syrian Democratic Force (SDF) in southeast deserts of Hasakah province and east of Deir Ezzor province.
The second stage of operation “Island Storm” started officially on 4 June with support of US Coalition in east of Syria against ISIS.
Regions between southeast of Hasakah and east of Deir Ezzor due to uneven terrain are safe place for ISIS terrorists; however, SDF with intelligence and military support of Iraqi forces and US Coalition, could detect key positions of terrorists and capture them thus force them to retreat step by step.
Finally in 4 August, SDF in a statement claim to clear all the deserts of east of Deir al Zur and the border with Iraq from ISIS terrorists.
Therefore, SDF during a 61 days period could liberate 5 thousand km2 of east of Syria.
ISIS terrorists are currently under siege in Hakin region along east of Euphrates river and SDF operation to clear these lands are continuing.
According to the current map, the area of Syria is decomposed to:
61% under control by Syrian Government
28% under control by Syrian Democratic Force
10% under control by extreme militia and Free Army
1% under control by ISIS
78% of population are in lands controlled by the Government, 17% in lands controlled by SDF and 5% in lands controlled by militants.
Interactive map of Syria : Click here
Article and map of 78 days ago for comparison: Here
Sdf held lands contain more than 17% of the population.