The Marj Al-Sultan Airbase was one of the first sites captured by the Islamist rebels in 2012 and since its capture, it has been turned into a large base for Jaysh Al-Islam (Army of Islam) and their affiliates.

For the first time since its capture by Jaysh Al-Islam (formerly Liwaa Al-Islam), the Syrian Arab Army’s 105th Brigade of the Republican Guard – in coordination with the National Defense Forces (NDF) of Damascus City and the Palestine Liberation Army (PLA) – have reached the southern perimeter of the Marj Al-Sultan Airbase in the East Ghouta (collection of farms) region of rural Damascus after taking full control of Hawash Al-‘Admil last night.

With Hawash Al-‘Admil and its surrounding area under their control, the Republican Guard forces and their allies have reached Marj Al-Sultan’s southeastern and southwestern flanks; this is where the pro-government forces are expected to attack in the coming days, as they attempt to capture this imperative base.

Should the Republican Guard Forces and their allies capture Marj Al-Sultan, they will have a clear path to the large farm area located in the western countryside of the East Ghouta; specifically, the contested villages of Zibdeen, Dayr Al-‘Assifeer, and Bala.

So far, the Syrian Armed Forces have done nothing more than fire mortar shells towards the enemy’s positions in Marj Al-Sultan; however, this assault is expected to intensify as the Russian Air Force’s SU-24 fighter jets continue to pound Jaysh Al-Islam around its vicinity.