Assad Prepares to Assault Last Rebel Enclave Near Damascus

Assad Prepares to Assault Last Rebel Enclave Near Damascus
Members of Syrian police sit at a damaged building at the city of Douma, Damascus, Syria April 16, 2018. Reuters/Ali Hashisho
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BEIRUT—The Syrian army began preparatory shelling for an assault on the last area outside its control near Damascus on Tuesday, a commander in the pro-government alliance said, building on its recent capture of the major suburb of eastern Ghouta.

Recovering the Yarmouk camp and neighboring areas located south of the city would give President Bashar al-Assad complete control over Syria’s capital, further consolidating his grip on power.