Iraq News

Syrian troops prepare for anti-ISIS offensive near capital

Syrian regime forces are gathering around a southern part of Damascus ahead of a planned operation against the "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" (ISIS) there, AFP reported Thursday (April 5th).

ISIS fighters have controlled large parts of the Palestinian camp of Yarmuk and sections of the neighbouring districts of Hajar al-Aswad and Tadamun in the capital's south since 2015.

Last month, they overran the adjacent Qadam neighbourhood, taking advantage of Syrian troops being busy with an operation against opposition fighters in Eastern Ghouta on the capital's north-eastern flank.

Since Sunday, reinforcements of regime forces and loyalist fighters "have been sent to the south of Damascus, in preparation for a military offensive to end the ISIS presence in the capital", the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Pro-regime newspaper al-Watan also reported a potential military offensive on ISIS in the area, but gave no timeline or further details.

Expelling ISIS elements would give the regime full control of the capital for the first time since 2012.

Once a thriving district home to some 160,000 Syrians and Palestinians, Yarmuk has been devastated since late 2012.

Clashes broke out that year between regime forces and opposition fighters in the camp, causing thousands of people to flee.

Since 2015, ISIS has controlled the large majority of Yarmuk, while Syria's then al-Qaeda affiliate controlled other parts.

In the past two weeks, Tahrir al-Sham alliance fighters have left Yarmuk under a negotiated withdrawal, but hundreds of ISIS fighters remain, the Observatory said.

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