Syrian soldiers in Tel Rifaat city, Illustrative image
On August 5 morning, a supply truck of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) came under attack in the western countryside of Daraa.
An improvised explosive device (IED) ripped through the truck, which was carrying five personnel from the SAA’s 112th Brigade, as it was passing near the town of al-Bakkar. Clashes were reported after the IED blast. An officer and a soldier were reportedly wounded in the attack.
Following the attack, the SAA carried out a series of raids in al-Bakkar. However, no arrests were reported. The army also set a checkpoint between the towns of Muzayrib and al-Yadudah, which are also located in the western Daraa countryside. A battle tank and an infantry fighting vehicle were deployed at the checkpoint.
At the same time, large reinforcements of the SAA, including armored personnel carriers and howitzers, were deployed at Daraa city center. The army also established three fortified positions near the silos, to the east of the city.
The situation in Daraa has been unstable. Just a day earlier, two attacks were reported in the eastern countryside of the governorate. The local representative of the Baath Party in the town of al-Harak was assassinated. ISIS also said its cells shot and killed a spy of the Syrian Air Force Intelligence Directorate in the town of al-Musayfrah.
The SAA and other government forces may be preparing to conduct a new series of operations in Daraa to improve the security situation there.
