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The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) Tiger Forces and Tribal Forces continued advancing in the southern Raqqa countryside on Saturday where they captured the villages of Anabah, Falat Rajab, Khirbet Muhannad, Suh al-Bukhmis, Mansoura Shweihan, Halima and Samihan. The SAA also seized the oil fields of Al-Wahab, Al-Fuhayd, Dubisan and Al-Kabeer and the wells of Al-Qaseer, Abu Qutat and Abu Qatash. According to the Hezbolalh media wing in Syria, the SAA killed a large number of ISIS fighters during its advance.
The Russian Air Force increased airstrikes against ISIS positions in the eastern Hama countryside and in eastern Homs countryside, in order to accelerate the SAA operations. Government troops are now deployed 13 km away west of the ISIS-held town of Sukhna.
According to pro-government sources, the SAA also managed to re-enter the province of Deir Ezzour from the direction of Hamima village after repelling several ISIS attacks in the area.
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Several pro-government sources confirmed the withdrawal of the Desert Hawks Brigade from the eastern Hama countryside due to coordination problems and slow operations in the area. Another reason was the SAA’s decision to change its offensive plan. According to local sources, the Desert Hawks Brigade will soon participate in another operation against ISIS.
