Click to see the full-size map
On Saturday, ISIS fighters captured the Eastern al-Hayr Palace east of al-Sukhnah town in the eastern Homs countryside, according to the ISIS-linked news agency Amaq.
Amaq added that ISIS captured Tayba and Shanhas villages northeast of al-Sukhnah and the al-Dahik mountains north of the town.
The media outlet also claimed that ISIS fighters killed 27 soldiers of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA), and destroyed 2 battle tanks and a vehicle of the SAA during their advance.
From its side, pro-government sources confirmed that the SAA and its allies repelled the previous ISIS attack, and recaptured all lost positions south and west of al-Sukhnah town and near the Hail gas field. ISIS likely launched its second attack east of the al-Sukhnah town after its first attack failed.
ISIS will likely continue contributing efforts in the eastern Homs countryside. The ISIS leadership views this attack as a vital factor for the survival of the terrorist group. Epically that both the SAA and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are pressuring down on the last ISIS strongholds in the Euphrates Valley.
In a related development, the Hezbollah media wing announced that the SAA and Hezbollah advanced 4km on the highway between Humaymah village and the T-2 station near the Syrian-Iraqi border. This move by the SAA and Hezbollah will for sure make things more complicated for ISIS ongoing attack in the eastern Homs countryside.
Reports appeared that the SAA Tiger Forces were redeployed to Deir Ezzor governorate. According to pro-government sources, the Tiger Forces will soon launch an attack to capture the ISIS stronghold of Mayadin in the southeastern Deir Ezzor countryside. The Tiger Forces are currently stationed in Deir Ezzor Airport 34km north of Mayadin city.
Earlier on Saturday, the SDF seized the Jirah oil field from ISIS northeast of Deir Ezzor city. The Jirah oil field is located west of al-Khajjah village on the eastern bank of the Euphrates.
Now, the SDF would be able to cut off the SAA and its allies deployed on the eastern bank from the oil fields located in the area.
Click to see the full-size map
