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On December 6, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and the Tiger forces met with Hezbollah and Iranian-backed militias north of the al-Bukamal city in the southeastern Deir Ezzor countryside, according to the Hezbollah media wing in Syria.
Military situation before the final push:
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The SAA and the Tiger Forces advanced and captured the villages of al-Alwai, Sayyal, Ghabrah and Tall Madkok north of al-Ghabrah on the western bank of the Euphrates River while Hezbollah and the Iranian backed forces captured the villages of Hawi al-Ghabrah, al-Ashayir and Bissisat south of Ghabrah.
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After theliberation of al-Ghabrah, the entire western bank of the Euphrates became fully controlled by government forces. ISIS fighters are now fully besieged in the empty east Homs desert. Iin the upcoming months, most of them will be killed or captured by the SAA and its allies.
According to pro-government sources, government forces already started preparations for this operation.
Meanwhile on the eastern bank of the Euphrates river, the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces took control over all the villages down to Khara’ij town, according to Kurdish sources. However, all the villages south of Khara’ij including the town of Hajin are still under the control of ISIS.
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According to unconfirmed reports of the Syrian oppositions and local sources ISIS fighters are now withdrawing from the eastern bank of the Euphrates to the al-Jazeera region in western Iraq.
The remaining ISIS-held areas will likely be cleared in the upcoming months thanks to the rapid advance of the SAA, the Iraqi Army and the SDF. However, the terrorist organization still controls small pockets in the Syrian governorates of Hama, Damascus and Daraa.
