Click to see the full-size map
An intense fighting is ongoing between the Syrian army and ISIS terrorist group in the area west of Palmyra in the province of Homs. By December 18, government forces pushed ISIS terrorists from the areas southwest of Palmyra and secured the Tyas-Qaryatayn road.
This move allowed the Syrian army and its allies to repel the threat of encirclement of the Tyas Airbase by ISIS forces.
Government forces also made a series of limited counter-attacks against ISIS terrorists along the Palmyra-Homs road. However, without significant results.
Pro-ISIS sources claim that the terrorist group was able to destroy 3 battle tanks, 2 vehicles and to damage 4 battle tanks belonging to the Syrian army in the area. Pro-government sources report that ISIS lost some 4 battle tanks and 10 fighters.
The Russian Aerospace Forces and the Syrian Air Force continued to provide an air support to government forces battling terrorists. Over 50 airstrikes were recently reported.
Meanwhile, the US-led coalition’s airpower also delivered some 30 airstrikes against ISIS units in the area of Palmyra.
Some sources report that Government forces also use the Russian-made heavy flame-thrower system TOS-1A “Solntsepyok” against ISIS in the area:
