The pro-Damascus Al-Watan newspaper said the Syrian army had advanced in the area as Syrian and Russian warplanes targeted militant positions and after several days of
preparatory fire.
A state TV correspondent said militant defences in the town were being struck by "
preparatory fire" in advance of a planned infantry assault.
But since there was intervening factor of the weather the helicopters were not able to enter so we doubled our artillery
preparatory fires, he said.
Enemy attacks include but are not limited to the traditional ground assault preceded by intense
preparatory fires and supported by heavy direct-fire weapons.
At approximately 0200Z on March 31, the attack commenced with massive preparatory fires from A-10 Thunderbolts and 105mm Howitzers from 2-319 Field Artillery Regiment, targeting the north bank of the river.
The battalion fired 105mm preparatory fires on the cement factory and had an AC-130 gunship on station in support.
He does all of this to help the battalion staff ensure that the airspace and preparatory fires are properly timed and managed.
Furthermore, and even more devastating, the Company A commander would have lost the advantage of effective attack, field artillery, and CAS preparatory fires, consequently facing a full-strength enemy on the objective.