Syrian Army reaches outskirts of strategic gas fields in east Palmyra

The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) continued their field operations in the eastern countryside of Palmyra on Monday, targeting the vast desert area still under the control of the Islamic State (ISIL) near the town of ‘Arak.

Led by the 5th Legion and 18th Tank Division, the Syrian Arab Army attacked the terrorist group’s positions along the Palmyra-Sukhanah Road, inflicting heavy damage on the Islamic State’s defenses.

Following a series of intense clashes that lasted for much of the day on Monday, the Syrian Arab Army managed to liberate a number of points en route to reaching the outskirts of the strategic ‘Arak Gas Fields.

The ‘Arak Gas Fields have long been under the control of the Islamic State forces, despite the Syrian Arab Army’s infiltration into this imperative site during their first major Palmryra offensive last year.

If the Syrian Arab Army is successful, the liberation of these gas fields will put them in position to strie the town of ‘Arak for the first time since losing the town in April 2015.