Nawa captured by the Free Syrian Army

After launcing a coordinated attack on the town of Nawa, the Free Syrian Army and some elements of Jabhat al Nusra are now in control of the city of Nawa and its vicinity. The attack apparently took the Pro-Assadist forces by suprise, as almost all fled, leaving their heavy weaponry behind. Following the capture of Nawa, the town was immediately bombed by the SyAAF.

Nawa was one of three keypoints in a defensive line South of Damascus. Tasked with protecting the Southern belly of Syria's capital, it has now crumbled with the capture of this key town. Although Nawa was already once captured by rebel groups in early 2014, the town was recaptured after a fierce regime offensive in May.

The recapturing of the town may lead to a review of how to handle the Free Syrian Army's advance in the South. What's certain; another regime offensive as seen in February 2014 will require lots of manpower, equipment and fuel, all practically unavailable.

The capture of Nawa also strengthens the firepower of the rebel groups (most united under the banner of the Free Syrian Army) in the South. Heavy weaponry and associated munitions can now be used to push further in the direction of Damascus, or other key objectives in the region. The weaponry captured once equipped one Tank Battalion, two Artillery Battalions, at least two Infantry Battalions and one or two Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalions, all part of Brigade 112.

Captured equipment includes two T-54s, one T-55, ten BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles, a BMP-1 training facility, three BRDM-2s armoured fighting vehicles, one BTR-152 and two BTR-60s armoured personnel carrier , two VT-55KS armoured recovery vehicles, one AMB-S armoured ambulance, three 122mm D-30 howitzers, one 130mm M-46 field gun, several 9M14 Malyutka, 9K111 Fagot and 9K115-2 Metis-M anti-tank missile systems, one ZSU-23 self-propelled anti-aircraft gun, four 14.5mm ZPU-4, one 23mm ZU-23, one 37mm M-1939 and two 57mm AZP S-60 anti-aircraft guns. The associated munitions to use all of this equipment was also captured.

Much of the weaponry and muntions can be seen here.

As most of the weaponry was immediately moved away, the Free Syrian Arms seems eager to use the equipment against its former owners as fast as possible.




Nawa was also believed to house yet another Russian SIGINT (Signals Intelligence) facility similar to the one captured near Al Hara. As no footage from the hill is available yet, the identity of the facility remains a mystery.