On Tuesday morning in the Dara’a Governorate’s northern countryside, the Syrian Arab Army’s 15th Brigade of the 5th Armored Division – in coordination with the SAA’s 7th Armored Division and the National Defense Forces (NDF) of Izra’a – imposed full control over several sites inside the strategic city of Sheikh Miskeen after a violent firefight with the Free Syrian Army’s “Southern Front Brigades”.
The Syrian Armed Forces began their large-scale assault on Tuesday morning with a powerful assault at the Battalion 82 base that is located just north of Sheikh Miskeen, continuing their attack from the night before when they infiltrated the Free Syrian Army’s frontline defenses and entered this base’s northern perimeter.
Following a fierce battle between the two opposing parties, the Syrian Arab Army’s 15th Brigade and their allies imposed full control over the Battalion 82 base, marking the first time since the Islamist rebels captured this army compound a year ago that the pro-government forces have reentered this site.
Moments after capturing the Battalion 82 base, the Syrian Armed Forces imposed full control over the Sheikh Miskeen Pool and the hilltop (Tal Al-Hish) overlooking the city from its northern flank; this allowed for the pro-government forces to enter the city and entrench themselves in the northern district.
The Islamist rebels would launch a counter-offensive after the Syrian Armed Forces entered the city and took control of several building blocks; this would result in the Free Syrian Army recapturing most of the sites they lost in Sheikh Miskeen, but not the base and the pool.
Much of the Syrian Army’s success on Tuesday was a result of the Russian Air Force’s relentless airstrikes that fractured the Islamist defenses and propelled the pro-government forces into Sheikh Miskeen.
Sheikh Miskeen is strategically located along the Quneitra-Sweida Highway; if captured, the Syrian Armed Forces can push east towards the Al-Quneitra Governorate and the large city of Nawa.