Syria

Syrian Army Dispatches More Forces to T4 Airbase to Stand ISIL Attack

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The Syrian Army has sent a large number of fresh forces and a large volume of military equipment to the T4 airbase in Eastern Homs to repel ISIL’s non-stop raids on the base, a field source disclosed Tuesday.

“The Army has forwarded a large number of forces and a large volume of equipment to the surroundings of T4 airbase to reinvigorate the defense capabilities of its soldiers in the face of ISIL’s growing offensives,” the source said, adding that fierce clashes are underway in around T4 airbase.

The source further added that ISIL’s continued attacks to capture T4 have so far been repulsed by army men, saying the pro-government forces are readying to carry out large-scale anti-ISIL operation in Eastern Homs.

The sources pointed out that the army is sending more troops and equipment to the region to start a fresh operation to liberate Palmyra and the entire gas and oil fields in Eastern Homs that they have lost to ISIL in last couple of days.

“The start time of the pro-government forces’ operation depends on when the dispatch of forces and equipment to T4 would complete,” the source added.

The source went on to say that the ISIL is carrying its attacks from several flanks in Eastern Homs and has opened news fronts to capture the T4 airbase and the town of al-Quaryatayn after they managed to capture Palmyra.

“The army’s operations are currently limited to targeting ISIL’s supply lines to prevent the dispatch of logistical cargos and refreshments from Raqqa and Iraq’s Mosul to Palmyra,” the source disclosed.

Reports said earlier today that the army troops repelled ISIL’s large-scale attack on T4 airbase in the Western direction of the terrorist-held Palmyra, inflicting major losses on the militants.

The ISIL terrorists continued to advance Westward after taking Palmyra and stormed government positions in T4 airbase from the North and East.

A field source disclosed that the ISIL terrorists attacked government positions with several bomb-laden suicide vehicles but the Syrian soldiers targeted the vehicles before they could reach their position.

The source further rejected ISIL claims about laying siege on the T4 airbase.

“After detonation of the suicide vehicles, hundreds of ISIL militants stormed army’s positions, but the Syrian soldiers managed to ward off their attack after hours of fierce clashes,” the source said.

The Russian fighter jets also launched aerial attacks on the surrounding areas of T4 airbase to block the ISIL’s advances towards the airbase.

The source further underlined the crucial role of the Syrian fighter jets and Russian choppers in repelling ISIL’s attack, adding, “The Russian air force launched continued strikes at ISIL’s position and inflicted tens of casualties on the militants.”

Based on the reports the ISIL wants to carry out another large-scale offensive to capture T4 airbase before arrival of the army’s reinforcement in the region.

T4 airbase is now the main base of the Syrian government forces in Eastern Homs following the fall of Palmyra.

T4 airbase is located 95 kilometers to the East of Homs and around 69 km to the West of Palmyra. If T4 airbase falls into hands of terrorists, the town of al-Quaryatayn, Maheen and even the city of Homs will be threatened by the ISIL.

“Tough battle is underway around T4 airbase and the ISIL is trying to seize the airbase in the Eastern part of Homs province,” the Arabic-language Qassiyoun news website affiliated to the Syrian dissidents reported.

In November 2014, the ISIL terrorists had laid siege on T4 airbase but failed to capture it after the terrorist group seized al-Shaer and Jahar gas fields.

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