Field commander discloses details about 130-day Mliha battle

“Victory is beautiful”. This is whata field commander said with a smile on his dusty face as he was greeting soldiers after the restoration of stability and security to Mliha city and surrounding farms in the Eastern Ghouta of Damascus.

Mliha battle ended after a 130-day fierce fighting between the army units on one hand and terrorists from al-Nusra Front, ‘Islam brigade’, ‘Islam Army’, ‘Rahman Legion’ and’Islamic Union of Ajnad al-Sham’ on the other.

There were also international professional mercenaries fighting  alongside the terrorists in Mliha battle, the field commander told the official news agency (SANA)’s reporter, stressing that army’s victory in that battle has buoyed up the spirits of the army’s soldiers.

“The army’s victory in Mliha battle paves the way for more victories in the Eastern Ghouta of Damascus as Mliha is the gate of the Eastern Ghouta,” headded.

How did the Syrian army achieve this victory?

The field commander answered this question, saying : “Since the decision was made  to start Mliha battle, a plan had been drawn up to enter the area from three axes, but there were a lot of obstacles, including dense trees. Thereforethe army units carried out infiltration operations through tunnels that had been used by terrorists.”

“In just 45 days, the military operation had turned to be special operations, including infiltration through tunnels that had been used by terrorists. It was a felicitous choice,” he added.

Large parts of the city were recaptured by the army units and armed terrorist organizations inside it were cordoned off.

The terrorist groups insideMlihacity desperately tried to keep the cityunder their control.” So, there were explosions and suicide operations carried out by terrorist groups to break the siege imposed on their comrades from the terrorist organizations inside the city, but in vain. The terrorist groups’ tactic made the army units increase their qualitative operations and change defense plan.”

About  48hours ahead of announcing the victory, the army command had decided to end the battle in Mlihacity which was a strategic stronghold for terrorists and logistic supply route for them.

“Army units entered Mliha town after ensuring safe exit to civilians who were used by terrorist groups as human shield,” the field commander said, pointing out that the army units entered the city were trained to fight inside cities, especially inside Mliha town.

He confirmed that Mliha city and surrounding farms are now under the control of the Syrian Arab army and free of terrorists.

Basma Qaddour