Syrian Army Fends off ISIL’s Large-Scale Offensive on Key Airbase West of Palmyra
The ISIL terrorists continued to advance Westward after taking Palmyra and stormed government positions in T4 airbase from the North and East.
A field source disclosed that the ISIL terrorists attacked government positions with several bomb-laden suicide vehicles but the Syrian soldiers targeted the vehicles before they could reach their position.
The source further rejected ISIL claims about laying siege on the T4 airbase.
“After detonation of the suicide vehicles, hundreds of ISIL militants stormed army’s positions, but the Syrian soldiers managed to ward off their attack after hours of fierce clashes,” the source said.
The Russian fighter jets also launched aerial attacks on the surrounding areas of T4 airbase to block the ISIL’s advances towards the airbase.
The source further underlined the crucial role of the Syrian fighter jets and Russian choppers in repelling ISIL’s attack, adding, “The Russian air force launched continued strikes at ISIL’s position and inflicted tens of casualties on the militants.”
Based on the reports the ISIL wants to carry out another large-scale offensive to capture T4 airbase before arrival of the army’s reinforcement in the region.
T4 airbase is now the main base of the Syrian government forces in Eastern Homs following the fall of Palmyra.
T4 airbase is located 95 kilometers to the East of Homs and around 69 km to the West of Palmyra. If T4 airbase falls into hands of terrorists, the town of al-Quaryatayn, Maheen and even the city of Homs will be threatened by the ISIL.
“Tough battle is underway around T4 airbase and the ISIL is trying to seize the airbase in the Eastern part of Homs province,” the Arabic-language Qassiyoun news website affiliated to the Syrian dissidents reported.
In November 2014, the ISIL terrorists had laid siege on T4 airbase but failed to capture it after the terrorist group seized al-Shaer and Jahar gas fields.
