Syrian Army offensive against ISIS turns into war of attrition

The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and their allies launched a large-scale offensive against ISIS forces in the Badiya Al-Sham region of southeast Syria last week.

In a matter of days, the Syrian Army and their allies managed to liberate a large chunk of this ISIS pocket in southern Syria, forcing the latter to retreat to their strongholds along the Al-Sweida provincial border.

However, these advances were expected at the onset of the offensive, but the real battle is expected to begin in the coming days, as the Syrian Army attempts to capture some important sites in the Badiya Al-Sham region.

In order to weaken the ISIS resolve at these sites, the Syrian Army has switched their offensive strategy to one of attrition.

According to a military source in Damascus, the Syrian Army’s primary objective at this point is to inflict as many casualties in the Islamic State’s ranks as possible.

Due to their limited resources and manpower shortages, ISIS is at the mercy of the Syrian Army troops that have encircled their entire pocket.

With nowhere to go and limited provisions, the ISIS will have to find a way to avoid casualties and breakout of this large pocket in southeast Syria.