On July 23, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA), the National Defense Forces (NDF) and their allies started a military operation to defeat ISIS terrorists in southern Syria, east of the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
According to pro-government sources, units of the SAA, the NDF and the Tiger Forces retook the villages of Ma’alaqah and Um Lawqas in the northern part of the ISIS-held pocket. They also captured some hills surrounding these settlements.
The ongoing advance is likely aiming to capture the town of Tasil and the nearby villages of Saudah, Ain Thakar and Adawan. This will allow government troops to shorten the frontline against ISIS and to focus their main efforts on more fortified areas located in the central and southern parts of the pocket.
The situation is developing.



