Hezbollah Deploys to the Palmyra Front

Perhaps the most lethal force combatting the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) in Syria, Hezbollah has proven time and time again that they will not tolerate the aforementioned terrorist group’s presence anywhere near the Lebanese border.

However, ISIS continues to underestimate Hezbollah’s fighting prowess in Syria as they continue provoke the latter by advancing to the imperative city of Sadad in the Homs Governorate’s eastern countryside.

As a result of ISIS’ intrusion near the Lebanese border, Hezbollah has deployed several hundred fighters to the Qalamoun Mountains of the Rif Dimashq Governorate in order to deter any potential attack on the Lebanese border-cities of Ras Ba’albak, Brital, and Al-Qusayr.

Instead of waiting for ISIS to come knocking on their door, Hezbollah has taken the fight to the terrorist group’s doorsteps at Palmyra, deploying hundreds of soldiers from Lebanon to this ancient city in eastern Homs in order to boost the Syrian Arab Army’s (SAA) ground assault.

Over 400 Iraqi fighters from Kataeb Imam ‘Ali (Imam ‘Ali Battalion) arrived at this front after making the arduous journey from southern Aleppo on Sunday, marking the first time that these forces have been deployed to this part of Syria.

With both Hezbollah and Kataeb Imam ‘Ali in western Palmyra, the Syrian Arab Army’s 550th Regiment and the 67th Brigade of the 18th Tank Division should feel the impact in the coming days as they continue their ground offensive to retake this ancient city under the control of ISIS.