Syrian Army Beats ISIL back from Oil-Rich Region Southwest of Raqqa

“The ISIL offensives to penetrate into the government forces’ strongholds in al-Thowrah oilfield and along Ithriya-al-Rasafeh road were repelled by the Syrian army men,” the sources said, adding, “Scores of the ISIL members were killed or wounded in the failed attacks and one of them was captured by the Syrian army.”

Reports said earlier today that the Syrian army and popular forces have captured 57 square kilometers of lands in their push towards al-Tabaqa airbase in recent days.

“The Syrian soldiers, the National Defense Forces and other popular fighters, in their anti-terrorism operation along the road connecting Ithriya in Hama to al-Tabaqa in Raqqa province, have thus far liberated 57 square kilometers from ISIL,” the sources said, adding, “The ISIL has suffered a heavy death toll and its military hardware has sustained major damage in the army offensives in the government forces’ offensives in the region.”