Ahmed stood in front of the massive tactical map, his finger slowly tracing the dotted line stretching from the Siria border to Titrick.
This supply route, which he called the "lifeline"—the Al‑Qaim – Lake Salsal corridor, had quietly been operational for the past three weeks, delivering a significant amount of supplies into his hands.
"Commander, the latest statistics are complete."
Staff officer Khalid handed over the folder, "Through the new route, we have gained twelve sets of anti-tank missile systems, forty-eight mortars, and four hundred tons of ammunition. Additionally, the elite combat battalion sent by the Raqqa headquarters, fifteen hundred strong, arrived last night."
Ahmed took the report, a glimmer of light in his eyes.
The bitter memory of the defeat at the Bayji pursuit was still fresh, having lost a third of his main force under the joint attack of Song Heping and the Persians.
But today wasn't like the past.
"How many combat-ready forces do we have now?"
