Syrian Army advances along Damascus-Baghdad Highway for first time in years

The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) launched a new military operation in the southeastern countryside of Damascus this past weekend that targeted the Free Syrian Army’s (FSA) positions around this rural area.

On Sunday morning, the Syrian Arab Army’s 5th Legion managed to break-through the Free Syrian Army’s defenses east of the Al-Seen Airport, resulting in the subsequent capture of the Biyar Saba area of southeast Damascus.

Following the capture of the Biyar Saba area, the Syrian Arab Army made an important push along the Damascus-Baghdad Highway, where they once again captured territory inside the Badiya region of the province.

According to a military source in Damascus, the Syrian Arab Army is quickly trying to take control of the Al-Tanf Border-Crossing with Iraq before the U.S. and Jordanian military personnel consider entering the Homs Governorate.

If the Syrian Arab Army captures the Tanf Border-Crossing, the they will be in position to improve their economic relationship with the Iraqi government, as both countries would share a safe border for the first time in four years.