Approaching Jobar in an old ute driven by a Syrian army officer, it’s pretty clear what’s been taking place in the once thriving residential and industrial precinct.
Years of fighting have transformed it into a virtual wasteland. What were once family homes are now riddled with bullet holes – most structures have taken a pounding from the rounds, the rockets and the mortars.
It’s only eight kilometres from central Damascus, but it bears little resemblance to the city which still functions surprisingly effectively under the circumstances.
For about three years, the Syrian Army has established itself in Jobar, defending the eastern fringe of Damascus from opposing forces - in this area the main enemy is the rebel group Jeish al-Islam or the “Army of Islam”.
Now on foot, a quick tour of the Syrian army set-up reveals resourceful use of what’s left. The damaged buildings have many uses – bunkers, firing holes, storage sheds, even make-shift bedrooms, cooking and washing facilities.
SBS News reporter Luke Water filming on the frontline near Damascus in Syria. Source: SBS News
Every couple of minutes, you pass a soldier holding a Kalashnikov or machine gun. Mostly, they’re poised – trigger finger at the ready, panning the weapon in search of a target.
Most soldiers live on the frontline including the commanding officer, Colonel Ahmed Zarqa. In his own way, the 50 year old cuts a contrasting figure. A warm smile and welcome puts an anxious frontline visitor at ease, but within minutes his shirt is removed to reveal unsightly scars from four battle wounds.
Colonel Zarqa won’t wear any symbol of his rank, insisting that after spending just two days at his own home in the past 14 months the soldiers he lives with and fights with are now his family.
“In addition to the spirit there is a good relationship between the soldiers and the most important thing is their belief of safety of their homeland,” he said in gravelly Arabic.
He says the profile of his unit reflects the Syria he defends comprising Christian, Shia and Sunni Muslim soldiers.
“The most important thing is that the surrounds of Damascus will be safe and we will get rid of all the Rebels from Syria,” he said.
SBS News reporter Luke Water filming on the frontline at Jobar in Syria. Source: SBS News
After initially declining to have his image filmed, the Colonel changed his position and personally escorted me on a brief but thorough visit.
At times, explosions and gunfire could be heard in the distance, and he informed me that rebel soldiers were between 20 and 50 metres from the fortified government front.
It seemed frighteningly close – but, even more disturbing, they could have been anywhere underground.
A complex web of underground tunnels had been active in the days preceding my visit. One battle saw the death of three opposition soldiers above the ground and dozens more were killed below the surface.
The Colonel explained whoever controlled the tunnels controlled the battlefield, and said his soldiers held tactical ascendency at the time. Reassuring words indeed.
Life on the frontline is incomprehensible for those not accustomed to the ever-present threat. The soldiers are resilient, tough and according to Colonel Zarqa, bonded by a common objective.
“There is a promise from all the soldiers that we will not go back to our families until the smile returns to all children in Syria,” he said.
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