Syrian government forces have expanded its operations against ISIS cells in eastern Syria. Currently, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA), the National Defense Forces (NDF) and their allies focused their activity in the two areas:
- the Homs-Deir Ezzor desert;
- the eastern al-Suwayda countryside;
In the province of Deir Ezzor, the SAA and the NDF have received reinforcements from southern Damascus, where a military operation against ISIS in the Yarmouk refugee camp area was finished in late May. This group of pro-government forces is now preparing to carry out a military operation against the remaining ISIS cells in the desert area as well as to strengthen government positions in the Euphrates Valley. ISIS has recently carried out a series of attacks on government forces near the towns of al-Bukamal and al-Mayadin as well as near the T2 pumping station.
At the same time, the SAA and the NDF are involved in an anti-ISIS operation in eastern al-Suwayda where they are cracking down on ISIS cells in the villages of Tell Sa’d, Tamutha, Ashrfya and Aura. The village of Ashrfya and the area of Beir Aura were already secured.
Summing up the recent developments, it becomes clear that the SAA leadership is using the time needed for negotiations with militants in southern Syria to deal with other security threats, like ISIS cells in eastern Syria.
Goverment troops deployed for operations in the Homs-Deir Ezzor desert:
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Click to see the full-size image
Click to see the full-size image
