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On July 20, the Syrian Ministry of Defense announced that different formations of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) had held an operational-tactical live-fire exercise in the country’s central desert, also known as Badiya.
The exercise mimicked a large-scale attack on hastily prepared enemy defenses. The attack began with a series of air and artillery strikes. Under the cover of the strikes, armored formations advanced across the frontline, while several commando units landed from helicopters behind enemy lines.
While advancing, SAA troops repelled a counter-attack by the enemy. The troops then developed the offensive and were able to capture enemy territory.
The exercise was reportedly carried out by the SAA’s 11th Armored Division and commando units from the 4th Armored Division.
General Abdul Karim Mahmoud Ibrahim, Chief of Staff of the SAA, and a number of other senior officers attended the exercise.
The SAA has been training nonstop for more than a year with help from Russia and other allies. The army appears to be preparing for a confrontation. The exercise in Badiya came amid reports of a plan by the United States and its allies to launch an attack in the desert area along Syria’s border with Iraq.
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