ISIL Launches a Ferocious Assault in East Hama

For the first time in two months, the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) has launched a full-scale offensive in the eastern countryside of the Hama Governorate, attacking the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and the National Defense Forces (NDF) at the collection of towns located directly east of the strategic city of Al-Salamiyah.

The terrorist group began their assault around 2:30 P.M. (Damascus Time) on Monday afternoon, when their militants stormed the northeastern axis of the Homs and Hama Governorates, where they would proceed to attack the Syrian Armed Forces’ frontline defenses at the town of Saleem and the Sinaydat Checkpoint located outside of this area.

Following an afternoon of clashes at the outskirts of Saleem, the militants from ISIS withdrew across the northern border of the Homs Governorate, where they would remain until midnight; however, as soon as soon as the clock struck midnight, the terrorist group launched another powerful assault on the Sinaydat Checkpoint, forcing the National Defense Forces to withdraw towards the town of Saleem.

Not longer after the NDF withdrew to Saleem, the Syrian Arab Air Force (SAAF) came roaring into the Al-Salamiyah area from the Hama Military Airport, targeting a number of ISIS agglomerations in the towns of Aqeirbat, Sheikh Hilal, and ‘Alayawi; this obstructed the terrorist group’s much needed reinforcements from entering the battle at Saleem.

As a result of the Syrian Air Force’s airstrikes, the Syrian Armed Forces were able to recover the Sinaydat Checkpoint; however, firefights are still ongoing to the east of this checkpoint, as the terrorist group attempts to recapture this from the National Defense Forces.