Roundup: Syrian army takes control of strategic areas in Eastern Ghouta

The Syrian army backed by the Lebanese Hezbollah group have taken control of the entire southern part, which groups over 10 towns, in the strategic region of Eastern Ghouta in east of Damascus, a monitor group reported Friday.

The huge advance, which has been achieved over the past 24 hours, was supported by airstrikes, and artillery shelling, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The army is now in control of the key towns of Zabdin and Deir al-Asafir, as well as other towns, namely Nuleh, Bzyineh, Harasta al-Qantara, Hosh Homsi, Hosh Dweir, Bala, Rkabieyh and al-Bayad in the southern sector of Eastern Ghouta region east of Damascus, according to the UK-based watchdog group.

The Observatory, which claims to rely on a network of activists on ground, said hundreds of families have fled the southern sector toward other areas in Eastern Ghouta, following the progress of the Syrian army.

It contributed the military progress in that area, which has been under the control of disparate jihadi groups, to the huge infighting that has recently erupted between the Saudi-backed Islam Army and the Qatari-backed Jaish al-Fustat, Falaq al-Rahman and the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front.

The rebel-on-rebel fighting in Ghouta over the past few days has killed over 500 rebel fighters, said the Observatory, adding that the government forces took advantage of the infighting and pressed on with battles against the insurgents in that key area forming the eastern rim of the capital.

The army's entry to such towns is the first in four years, marking a huge blow to the foreign-backed militants and a plus to the government forces and its allies.

Observers believe that the rebels' infighting reflects the conflict among its backers.

Another reason is also at play, analysts say, is the killing of a top Hezbollah commander near the International Airport of Damascus, which is also close to the towns of Ghouta.

Hezbollah acknowledged in a statement that commander Mustafa Badreddin was killed by shelling from the radical groups in Eastern Ghouta against one of Hezbollah's positions near Damascus' international airport a week ago.

Observes said the progress in Ghouta is part of Hezbollah's response to the killing of one of its most prominent commanders.

Local reports said the armed militants were fleeing their positions in the southern sector of Ghouta en masse, adding that the operation in Ghouta holds special significance as it reflects the unraveling of the insurgent groups near Damascus and gives more momentum to the Syrian army and its allies. Endit