Illustrative image, source: Sputnik.
On August 20, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) elite 4th Division deployed heavy rocket launchers near the southern part of Daraa city, known as Daraa al-Balad, where more than a hundred wanted gunmen have been holding up for nearly two months now.
The locally-made launchers are armed with heavy improvised rocket-assisted munitions (IRAMs), which are usually referred to by Syrian sources as “Golan,” “Volcano” or “Elephant” rockets. These IRAMs were designed to destroy heavily fortified positions.
Syrian pro-government sources said that the rocket launchers were deployed to mount more pressure on the gunmen in Daraa al-Balad, who are still refusing to leave the area.
4th Division reinforces to Darra pic.twitter.com/jy4VZb4PYZ
— ZOKA (@200_zoka) August 20, 2021
Last week, Russia offered local leaders in Daraa al-Balad a roadmap that fulfills the demands of Syrian authorities and guarantees the rights of the locals. However, the roadmap was rejected.
The situation got even worse on August 19, when an attack with an improvised explosive device in western Daraa killed an officer and four soldiers of the SAA.
The SAA responded to the recent developments by targeting several posts inside Daraa al-Balad with heavy machine guns and battle tanks.
#أحرار_حوران
صور تظهر آثار الدمار في منازل المدنيين جرّاء قصف ميليشيات الفرقة الرابعة وإيران على حي البحار بدرعا البلد.#درعا_تحت_القصف pic.twitter.com/Bq48zE6JtN— تجمع أحرار حوران – Horan Free (@HoranFreeMedia) August 20, 2021
#أحرار_حوران
صورة تظهر قصف ميليشيات الفرقة الرابعة وإيران على حي البحار في درعا البلد، قبل قليل. pic.twitter.com/p8rGsecyj0— تجمع أحرار حوران – Horan Free (@HoranFreeMedia) August 19, 2021
Now, the SAA appears to be closer than ever to launching a full-on military operation in Daraa al-Balad. According to some pro-government sources, the army has given local leaders no more than 15 days to fulfill the demands of Syrian authorities.
