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Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Elite 4th Mechanized Division forces arrive in Wadi Barada
2017-01-09
[ALMASDARNEWS] Units from the infamous 42nd Brigade of the 4th Mechanized Division have mobilized around the strategic rebel-held bastion of Barada Valley.

This development comes after rebel forces reneged on the reconciliation agreement they signed with government official the previous day. Local sources believe foreign orders pressured the snuffies to continue fighting.

Nevertheless, it is unlikely that the rebels will resist for long given the 42nd Brigade's track record in Muaddamiyah, Darayya, and Khan al-Sheh where stubborn rebels ended up getting transported to Idlib via green buses. Ten MLRS vehicles and five field guns have been positioned on the hills overlooking the valley.

The Syrian government eyes the imperative Wadi Barada region to its Fijah Water Spring that quenches the thirst of Damascus's five million plus population. Mounting local pressure for a reconciliation agreement will only make fighting harder for the jihadists.

More from ARA News: Syrian army wages major offensive on rebel-held Damascus suburb

Damascus – Thousands of civilians fled the Ghouta al-Sharqiya district in Damascus suburb on Monday.

The mass displacement coincided with the Syrian regime’s army forces launching a major anti-rebel offensive near the capital Damascus.

Civilians evacuated main towns of the Ghouta al-Sharqiya district, including Hawsh al-Salihiya, al-Nashabiya and Zireqiya.

“We escaped Ghouta to save our children from the regime’s killing machine,” a father of five told ARA News, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The Syrian army launched on Sunday a major offensive on the rebel-held Ghouta al-Sharqiya [or Eastern Ghouta], conducting indiscriminate artillery bombardment and airstrikes.

“The bombardment mainly hit residential buildings in the towns of Ghouta on Sunday, causing dozens of civilian casualties,” local media activist Aladin al-Kurdi told ARA News over the phone.

“The heavy bombardment caused a state of panic among the people and pushed thousands to escape from the district,” the source reported.

In the meantime, clashes broke out between the Syrian regime’s troops and rebel fighters in the Ghouta al-Sharqiya.

The Syrian army was reported able to take parts of the Hazrama town in the district, forcing the rebel groups to retreat under fierce shelling.
Posted by:Fred

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