With all eyes on Daraa, ISIS launches big operation in Al-Sweida

ISIS recently launched a big operation against the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) in the Badiya Al-Sham region of eastern Al-Sweida.

The terrorist group’s operation began late last week, when their fighters stormed several areas controlled by the Syrian Arab Army and their allies from the National Defense Forces (NDF) and Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP).

According to a military source from the NDF in Al-Sweida, the Islamic State was able to retake several points in the Al-Abashi area, as many units from the SAA were caught off guard by the terrorist offensive.

Furthermore, the Islamic State was able to expand their presence around the Safa Canyon of east Al-Sweida, following a fierce battle with the Syrian government forces.

The Syrian Army and their allies have attempted to recapture these points, but have failed thus far.

With most of the Syrian Army’s focus on the southern province of Daraa, the Islamic State has been able to capitalize on the lack of government air cover in this vast desert area in southeast Syria.

ISIS has often thrived in these types of situations because they are no longer the primary focus of the fighting, which allows them to begin land-grabbing again.