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The US-backed militant group “the Forces of Martyr Ahmad al-Abdo” is withdrawing from the Damascus desert, according to pro-militant media outlets and media acitivsts.
The Forces of Martyr Ahmad al-Abdo reportedly started withdrawing from the desert area towards the border with Jordan on September 7. According to reports, two others US-backed militant groups, Jaysh Usud al-Sharqiya and Jaysh Maghawir al-Thawra, started withdrawing from positions in the area earlier in September.
The withdrawal of militant groups from the Damascus desert area in southeastern Syria came amid reports about the tensions between the militant groups and the US-led coalition over their future activity in the area. The militants were reportedly seeking to combat the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and its allies while the US-led coalition didn’t support this idea.
If reports are confirmed, this will mean that the SAA will be able to secure a large desert area in southeastern Syria and expand its control over the area near the Syrian-Joranian border. This would allow to shorten the frontline and to free additional forces for operations against ISIS in Deir Ezzor province.
