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On Wednesday, ISIS fighters captured 4 checkpoints of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) on the road between al-Sukhnah town and Tayibe village north in the eastern Homs countryside, according to the ISIS-linked news agency Amaq.
ISIS fighters reportedly destroyed a tank and a vehicle of the SAA during their advance according to Amaq.
Syrian pro-government sources also reported that ISIS fighters recaptured the Hail gas field west of al-Sukhnah town. According to the sources, ISIS fighters are now encircling the town from the east, west and south. Furthermore, al-Shula village on the al-Sukhnah-Deir Ezzor highway was also recaptured by ISIS fighters, according to reports.
The SAA launched a counter-attack and an intense fighting is now ongoing in multiple areas.
Other pro-government sources said that the SAA will redeploy large forces including special operation units and units of the 4th Armoured Division from the eastern Hama countryside to al-Sukhnah town to launch another counter-attack.
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Meanwhile, Amaq announced that ISIS fighters captured the strategic Mhassa area south of al-Qaryatayn town in the southern Homs countryside. ISIS also captured Jubail, Adah, Barakah, Kuhlah, Zarqah, Thanyah, al-Nasrani and Qanas mountains south of al-Qaryatayn town according to Amaq.
Moreover, Syrian opposition sources confirmed that the SAA deployed more units in Mahin town north of al-Qaryatayn. The SAA is likely planning to exhaust ISIS fighters with clashes around the town before storming it to minimize its loses.
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Meawnhile government troops liberated the villages of Hardanah, Tal Adimah, Um Mil, Khurayjah, Abu Hubaylat, Abu Dail Sharqi, Fanusiya, Tal Hatt, Kherbet Jassem, Barghuthiyah and ‘Arshunah from ISIS in the eastern Hama countryside.
Earlier, the SAA and its allies divided the ISIS-held pocket in the area into two separate parts.
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The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that the Russian Aerospace Forces are ready to prevent any ISIS attacks from the areas controlled by the US-led coalition. The ministry added that ISIS members that attacked al-Qaryatayn from came from the US-held areas.
