The Syrian Arab Army (SAA), the National Defense Forces (NDF), Liwa al-Quds, Hezbollah and other pro-government units have achieved progress against ISIS terrorists in the eastern part of Hama province and in the countryside of the ancient city of Palmyra.
In the countryside of Palmyra, government troops have entered in the Hayl Gas fields east of Palmyra and seized a notable part of it. Clashes are ongoing.
In eastern Hama, government forces have re-established control over Jbab Hamd following a series of intense clashes with ISIS units.
Nasty terrain. Thats why its so slow
East Hama CS is one of the hardest battlefields for SAA
General Judeau, what is the task before us?
This is the situation now in Syria – https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DDmdHUoXYAAKqBK.jpg . The goverment forces from the southern part of Khannaser should link with SAA around Shaer and besiege East Hama . And the TF from Resafa will start operation towards Sukhna
Agreed! SAA really should close up that daesh pocket east of Hama I think
Now that Mosul is militarily over, clear the border ares with Syria, this will put pressure on ISIS and make it easier to get to DeZ, there is no time as SDF is moving towards DeZ west of the Euphrates.
Yes I agree PMU and other Iraqi forces need to start working on the border and DeZ now
Iraq did attack (with Syrian consent) the ISIS HQ in Mayadeen recently, so it may be just a week or so away
Very good :)))
It will take a lot of US head-chopping, heart-eating raper resources to fight the Syrians there too. I’m still hoping for it to lead to a big advance elsewhere….
Yes, it is very hard terrain for the attacker. Maybe the SAA should encircle it. A strong advance from Ithriya in southern direction?!
i have no doubt in my mind whatsoever SAA will prevail even here too
But are these Mountains worth the time? I think not…
They coud just be another pocket for the time beeing, or they come out and would be a easier target…
in hama, it is not the mountains that are important, but the annihilation of daesh in the region. around palmyra, there are still quite a few oil/gas fields to be taken i think
These hills are Syrian version of Afghanistan. SAA problem is that the shortest rout to Der Ezzor goes right through the middle of them. Also the region is geographical heart of the country and of it’s oil and gas industry. Even if they find a way to reach Al Bukamal and Der Ezzor indirectly, SAA would have to mop the area up anyway. Good thing is that ISIL doesn’t have enough locally available supplies to put up a meaningful resistance – but still it’s not good to rush and lose good men needlessly…
Better to mop them after reaching Al Bukamal and Deir Ezzor, then mop them up first and have the US and its proxies reach Alk Bukamal and Deir Ezzor first.