ISIS Regains Lost Areas in Southern Damascus, Regime Forces Take Losses

Alexander Falconer | 18 May, 2018
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ISIS was able to regain several areas in southern Damascus with a counter-attack against Syrian regime forces on Thursday 17 May, with dozens of Syrian Army soldiers being killed and injured. 

ISIS reported via its official channels that its fighters launched a counter-attack against regime positions in the al-Hajar al-Aswad neighbourhood in southern Damascus. During the offensive the group was able to regain ground which the Syrian Army had recently advanced into. 

ISIS claimed that the attack resulted in the deaths of 28 Syrian Army soldiers and the wounding of dozens of others.

Violent clashes are ongoing in the southern areas of Damascus between ISIS and government forces, with combat being concentrated in the Yarmouk camp, the al-Tadamun neighbourhood, and the area between Yarmouk and al-Hajar al-Aswad. Syrian government rocket fire has repeatedly targeted positions controlled by ISIS, while military aircraft circled overheard during the morning on Friday.

ISIS announced on Wednesday 16 May the killing of 36 Syrian Army troops, with one senior officer being killed and others injured. These ongoing and bloody clashes took place in the Yarmouk camp and al-Hajar al-Aswad. 

The Syrian regime has recently launched a violent military campaign against the Yarmouk camp and other southern areas, which is being supported by Russian airstrikes. The Syrian Army during this operation has lost over 800 soldiers, including senior officers.