Syrian Army within striking distance of key ISIL-held town

Syrian Arab Army (SAA) troops have seized control over Al-Hayl Field and its oil pumping station in the suburbs of Homs, Sunday, after regaining control over several locations between the cities of Al-Sukhnah and Palmyra.

An SAA military commander said that Syrian troops were able to repel militants of the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS; formerly ISIL/ISIS) from the southeastern direction of Al-Sukhnah, paving the way for the troops to further advance towards this city in a bid to score further gains.

 

The Syrian Arab Army is now within 11km of Al-Sukhnah, leaving just a small stretch of highway that is under the control of the Islamic State forces.

Once Al-Sukhnah is liberated, the Syrian Arab Army will be at the provincial border of the Deir Ezzor Governorate and within striking distance of the first town in the western part of the province.