Breaking: Syrian Army just several hundred meters from isolating major terrorist stronghold in east Damascus

Amid heavy round-the-clock clashes between government troops and Islamist fighters, the Syrian Army is now to within just several hundred meters of isolating the jihadist stronghold of Harasta from the rest of Damascus’ East Ghouta region.

Despite earlier reports (and map releases) stating otherwise, Syrian government forces have not yet physically isolated Harasta from the city of Douma in what is now the northern East Ghouta pocket.

Regardless, assault units from the Syrian Army’s veteran 4th Mechanized Division have already established fire control over the exit routes from Harasta towards Douma and are, right now, just two to three hundred meters from physically separating the stronghold.

The isolation of Harasta will bring about a three-way split of rebel-held areas in East Ghouta; given the fact that hardline jihadist militias affiliated to the Muslim Brotherhood and Al-Qaeda control the district town, it is yet to be seen if Islamist fighters actually allow themselves to be besieged or chose to make a run for Douma.