Syrian Army advances into ISIL’s heartland in east Hama

Syrian Arab Army’s 66th Brigade of the 11th Tank Division – backed by the National Defense Forces (NDF) – launched a powerful assault inside the Al-Salamiyah District’s east sector, capturing several sites from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) near the Al-Raqqa Governorate border.

The Syrian Armed Forces began the day by liberating the strategic hilltop of Tulaal Al-Hamkah and its nearby checkpoint, killing and wounding over 25 enemy combatants after destroying ISIL’s machine gun nest. According to a military source inside the city of Al-Salamiyah, Tulaal Al-Hamkah is located just 12 km east of the strategic village of Tal Toot; its proximity to the ISIL stronghold of ‘Aqayrbat makes it an imperative military endeavor for the Syrian Army’s Central Command.

Following the capture of Tulaal Hamkah, the Syrian Armed Forces would impose full control over two checkpoints near the ISIL stronghold of ‘Aqayrbat, killing and wounding tens of terrorists while also destroying 3 armored vehicles that were mounted with anti-aircraft machine guns.

The recent military operations in the Hama Governorate’s eastern countryside have coincided with the Syrian Arab Army’s large-scale offensive at the strategic city of Tadmur (Palmyra) in the Homs Governorate.