This godforsaken place called Dry Sand River is actually a misnomer.
It's not a raging river but a massive dried-up gorge carved out by wind and sand erosion over the ages.
The riverbed, several hundred meters wide, is filled with loose quicksand and heavily weathered jagged rocks, creating numerous natural depressions, gullies, and rolling dunes.
Once wheels and tracks sink into the soft sand, speeds drop drastically, and even the strongest mobility is severely compromised.
The two sides of the gorge are flanked by wind-eroded earth cliffs, ranging from ten to twenty meters high. Not perilously steep, but they offer excellent concealment and elevated shooting positions.
The cliff walls are pocked with wind-eroded holes and cracks, making natural shooting ports and hiding spots for soldiers.
This kind of terrain is very common in the Middle East.
Whenever Song Heping arrives at a location, he looks at the map first.
He checks the terrain surrounding his location clearly.
