Syrian Army eyes new territories east of Euphrates as SDF loses ground to Daesh
The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) has sent a large number of reinforcements to the city of Albkamal in Deir Ezzor after recent Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL/IS/Daesh) offensive resulted in big territorial losses for the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
According to a military source in Deir Ezzor, the Syrian Arab Army reinforcements were not only sent to protect Albukamal from any Daesh attack, but also to potentially resume operations in this border region in southeast Deir Ezzor.
With the recent redeployment of several units from Syrian Democratic Forces to northern Syria, the Syrian Army’s High Command fears that Daesh may take advantage of their thin lines to retake several of these areas east of the Euphrates.
Daesh has already managed to retake several towns from the Syrian Democratic Forces, including Al-Sousah and Baghouz Fouqani.
If Daesh manages to retake Baghouz Mountain and new border points, this will force the Syrian Arab Army to get involved in the battle.
While this might not be ideal for the Syrian Democratic Forces, the Syrian Arab Army’s liberation of these areas would provide relief to their troops in the Euphrates River Valley.
Moreover, it would allow the Syrian Democratic Forces to shift their focus to the potential Turkish military invasion in northern Syria.
As of now, the Syrian Army’s large deployment of troops to southeast Deir Ezzor remains a defensive maneuver, but it could drastically change if Daesh captures new points along the Iraqi border.
