Syria in Last 24 Hours: Army Regains Control of More Areas in Hama

The army units drove the ISIL terrorists out of key areas and their surrounding areas in Hama province.

The Syrian troops inflicted heavy losses on the terrorists in fierce clashes over controlling of strategic regions. They also destroyed military equipment of the terrorists.

The Syrian army also continued its advances in other key provinces across Syria.

Hama

The Syrian army forces started a new phase of anti-ISIL operations in Eastern Hama, retaking control of two strategic regions.

The army and National Defense Forces started anti-ISIL operations in Petrol Line front in Eastern Salamiyah, regaining control of Points 7 and 9 in the region.

Point 7 was an ISIL stronghold in the region which was fortified with several ditches and trenches.

Meantime, the Syrian army troops engaged in fierce clashes with the ISIL terrorists who had attacked several military points near Sheikh Hilal region in Eastern Hama, repelling their offensive and killing and wounding a number of militants.

Almost 700 tribal volunteer forces have joined the Syrian Army troops in the battle against ISIL in Badiyeh desert in Eastern Hama and Homs, a military source disclosed. The source said that a growing number of tribal forces have joined the army in Syria’s Badiyeh in recent weeks.

The source further said that over 350 tribal forces are fighting against ISIL along with the army in Ithriya region in the Eastern direction of the town of al-Salamiyah, adding that the tribal forces have played an effective role in laying siege on ISIL in a region between Ithriya in Hama and Mount al-Sha’er in Homs.

He went on to say that over 250 tribal fighters and the National Defense Forces joined the army soldiers in Syria’s Badiyeh at the beginning of this week, while another two groups with 100 fighters participated in clashes in Badiyeh and al-Sukhnah region. The operation is aimed at removing the siege on Deir Ezzur.

The tribal fighters’ partnership in the war on ISIL in Badiyeh is of significant importance because the tribal forces have good geographical knowledge of the region, meantime, they can bear well bad weather conditions of Badiyeh.

Homs

The Syrian army and its allies continued advances in the Eastern parts of Homs, winning back control of several points and surrounding the ISIL in a 2,000-sq/km area in Badiyeh (desert) region.

The Syrian troops and their allies continued clashes with ISIL terrorists after regaining control of Jabal al-Zahak and Wadi Abuzaleh in Northeastern Homs, and could take back control of Kharbat al-Tala’a region.

Then, they joined other army soldiers stationed in the Northern parts of the town of al-Sukhnah, surrounding the ISIL in a 2,000-sq/km region.

Meantime, the Syrian fighter jets targeted ISIL positions in Khatmalo and Um Towaineh in Eastern Homs, destroying the ISIL’s drones and military equipment base in Khatmalo and another base in Um Toweineh. Four tanks and a cache of missiles and artillery munitions were destroyed in the second base.

During the operations, all ISIL terrorists, including several commanders, inside the bases were killed.

Deir Ezzur

The Syrian army and the Russian and Syrian warplanes intensified anti-ISIL military operations in Deir Ezzur, inflicting heavy damage on the terrorists.

The Syrian and Russian fighter jets heavily pounded the ISIL moves and positions near al-Ta’min Brigade base, Ayash warehouses, Monjem al-Malah region and the village of Sabkhah on Thursday, smashing their bases and killing a large number of militants.

Also, the artillery units of the army targeted ISIL positions near al-Ta’amin Brigade base, Panorama region, al-Amal and al-Arafi districts and the villages of al-Masrab, al-Kharitah, al-Shamitiyeh, Ain Bujomeh, Ayash and al-Baqiliyeh, destroying the terrorists’ military vehicles.

Other units of the army also engaged in sporadic clashes with the ISIL in the cemetery region and near the airport and the village of al-Baliqiyeh, inflicting heavy toll and damage on the militants.

Meantime, local sources in Western Deir Ezzur confirmed fierce clashes between the residents of the town of al-Shamitiyeh and the ISIL militants in the region.

Syria-Lebanon Border

The Syrian army and resistance forces regained control of several regions in their operation at the bordering heights with Lebanon, and tightened noose on ISIL terrorists.

The army and Hezbollah forces, supported by artillery and missile fire, continued clashes against ISIL in the Southern parts of Western Qalamoun on Thursday, seizing control of Wadi al-Maqareh Kabir and Wadi al-Maqareh Saqir heights as well as the Ra’s al-Shahout passageway from the heights overlooking Syria’s town of Qarah to the heights overlooking the town of Arsal in Lebanon.

They also managed to capture al-Mahabes, Ako and al-Bahasat hills and imposed control over the al-Mal and Shobat al-Rad crossings near Faliteh al-Jarajir region.

Meantime, the Lebanese army which has stabilized its positions in all liberated areas is preparing for the fourth phase of military operations against the terrorists in the bordering heights with Syria. The engineering units of the Lebanese army have also cleansed these areas of bombs and mines.