BEIRUT, LEBANON (11:40 A.M.) – The jihadist rebels of Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham launched their most powerful offensive of the year inside the eastern suburbs of Damascus today, targeting the densely populated areas of Al-‘Abbasiyeen near Jobar.

Surprising the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) with two suicide attacks, the jihadist rebels managed to seize several points in western Jobar, including the Mercedes Workshop, Electrical Facility, Khumasiyah Company Building, and Alboulman Garage.

Following loss of these sites, a large number of reinforcements arrived from the northern part of Al-Qaboun to help the Syrian Arab Army recapture the lost points.

Since the arrival of reinforcements, the Syrian Arab Army has only recaptured the Electrical Facility, while intense clashes rage through the night at the strategic Albouman Garage.

Both sides have suffered heavy casualties as a result of the fighting, with the majority of the Syrian Army losses coming from the suicide bombings.