Syrian Army Operations Against ISIS Forces Around Damascus

Syrian state television reported on the country's army operations against Islamic State forces in southern Damascus, following the evacuation of the Hajar al-Aswad neighborhood from civilians. The report claims that on Sunday night, prior to the start of this operation, the area was evacuated of women, children, and the elderly using the opportunity of a ceasefire between the parties. According to Syrian state television, shortly before noon on Monday, when the ceasefire was set to end, Syrian fighter jets bombed remaining ISIS positions while ground troops advanced towards these areas. The report emphasizes that 'ISIS terrorists are approaching the final hours of their existence around Damascus.' The Associated Press, citing local residents, reported military aircraft flying over the city and noted that fighting between forces supporting Bashar al-Assad and ISIS members is ongoing in the Hajar al-Aswad area and the Palestinian refugee camp in the region. While the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that some ISIS forces were allowed to leave the Yarmouk area and its surroundings, Syrian television denied any deal between the Islamic State and the central Syrian government. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a group of ISIS fighters and their families left the area on Sunday night towards the east and the Syrian desert. This group also reported the burning of military equipment and administrative documents by fighters to prevent them from being seized by government forces. Pro-Assad forces have been conducting operations against Islamic State forces around Damascus since last month, resulting in government forces taking control of 70 percent of the area. This has led to Damascus being fully under the control of Bashar al-Assad's forces for the first time since the civil war began in Syria in 2011. Iran and Russia are considered the biggest supporters of Bashar al-Assad and have played an undeniable role in his victories over internal military opponents. Both countries claim to have military presence in the country at the invitation of the legitimate Syrian government, but recently, the Russian president stated that with the start of the political process in Syria, all foreign forces must leave the country, and his envoy for Syrian affairs also mentioned that this includes Iran and Hezbollah. However, the Iranian Foreign Ministry emphasized that its regional and global policy is independent and that no one can force Iran to leave Syria.