By Kathryn Maureen Ryan
Impunity Watch Managing Editor

DAMASCUS, Syria – As U.S. and Coalition forces target the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) and the Khorasan group in Syria the Assad regime continues the tighten its grip on communities near the capital, targeting rebel held communities. Syrian forces loyal to the regime of President Bashar al-Assad overran rebels in Adra al-Omalia, a town 30 km northeast of the Syrian capital. Syrian State Media, SANA reported that the armed forces had “imposed their control over the town of Adra al-Omalia and eliminated a number of terrorists.” SANA reported that Syrian soldiers were combing the area and clearing out explosives planted by armed groups. The raids were an important advancement for the Assad Regime which is attempting to strengthen its grip over the areas around Central Damascus. Assad’s forces, backed by the Lebanese Hezbollah group, have been gradually extending control over a corridor of strategic territory that reaches from Damascus to the Mediterranean coast.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring group, confirmed that the government had taken control of Adra al-Omalia after clashes with rebels including some fighters from the Nusra Front, al-Qaeda’s affiliate in Syria, whose assets have also been targeted by U.S. air strikes. The United States considers the Nusra Front a terrorist organization. The Observatory earlier reported that at least 29 people – 18 of them rebel fighters – died during fighting on Wednesday between rebels and government forces in the outskirts of Damascus. Fighting still regularly kills nearly 200 people a day Syria.

Syrian opposition activists warn that the continued U.S. and Coalition Airstrikes in Syria may ultimately help the Assad regime if regime assets are not targeted in the strikes. The Assad regime is a primary target of ISIS fighting, the regime views the ISIS organization as continued threat and could use the airstrikes as indirect aid to reclaim territory taken by the ISIS group and as an opportunity to open new ground battles against the militants.

The Coalition strategy against ISIS may incentives the Assad regime ramp up fighting against the Free Syrian Army and other moderate fighters out of fears that these groups will receive increased aid from the international community. United States President Barack Obama has lobbied for increased military aid and training to moderate Syrian rebels as a potential proxy force to fight ISIS militants on the ground in Syria. This firepower would likely ultimately be turned against the Assad regime.

For more information please see:

Al Jazeera – Syrian Army Overruns Town Near Damascus – 25 September 2014
The Jerusalem Post – Report: Syrian Army Retakes Area Northeast Of Damascus – 25 September 2014
Reuters – Syrian Army Extends Grip In Town Northeast Of Damascus – 25 September 2014
The Washington Post – U.S.-Led Airstrikes Could Open New Fronts For Syrian Battles Against Islamic State – 25 September 2014