The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and the National Defense Forces (NDF) continue struggling to clear the Homs-Deir Ezozr desert as well as the northwestern part of al-Suwayda province from ISIS cells operating there.
Just recently, local NDF members spotted an ISIS unit and opened fire on it in the northern part of al-Suwayda. However, they were not able to eliminate it. This ISIS unit was conducting reconnaissance in the area, most likely collecting data for future ISIS attacks on NDF and SAA positions in the province.
A previously announced security operation in the area in the al-Bukamal-T2 pumping station-Mayadin triangle also achieved little results. SAA and NDF units carried out a series of raids, but found no notable ISIS infrastructure. At the same time, they have no resources to establish a complex network of check points in this desert area. So, ISIS cells always can return.
According to local sources, there are currently from 400 to 800 ISIS members in the desert areas in central Syria. These terrorists are mostly hiding in the Homs-Deir Ezzor desert and on the edge of the US-controlled area of al-Tanf. This group poses a significant threat to security of government-held areas in the provinces of Homs, Deir Ezzor and al-Suwayda. However, it remains unclear how it can be eliminated while any SAA activity in the al-Tanf zone faces a military responce from the US-led coalition.
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Another key issue is the al-Rukban refugee camp, which is located near the US garrison of al-Tanf. The camp is not only place of an acute humanitarian crisis, but also a hotbed for various criminal gans and terrorists hiding in the area. The location of the camp allows them to use it as a foothold for operations in the border area. Local sources say that at least a part of “moderate rebels” deployed near it are in fact former or current members of ISIS.
