The Syrian Conflict is not short of surprises, but the events that took place in Greater Damascus on Wednesday were definitely unexpected, given the fact that there is an ongoing ceasefire in several areas around the country.

However, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) did not violate the ceasefire by advancing in the East Ghouta because the area they targeted was primarily made-up of Al-Qaeda militants from Jabhat Al-Nusra and their extremist affiliates.

Jabhat Al-Nusra is not adhering to the guidelines set forth in the ceasefire agreement; therefore, nothing is binding them to refrain from attacking the government forces in the East Ghouta region of Greater Damascus.

Well, this did not work out too well for Jabhat Al-Nusra, as the Syrian Arab Army’s 102nd and 416th brigades of the Republican Guard carried out a powerful assault at Bala Al-Jadeeda and Hatita Al-Jarsh on Wednesday morning, resulting in their capture after a violent firefight.

Once these two villages were captured, reality sunk in: Jabhat Al-Nusra and their allies are now encircled at two different parts of the East Ghouta.

Yes, Jabhat Al-Nusra is cutoff from their allies to the north and now, they are forced to either surrender or hope for Jaysh Al-Islam (Army of Islam) to lift the latest siege at the southern part of the East Ghouta.