The battle for Palmyra is not over

[Bleipriester]

ISIS Fails to Cutoff the Homs-Salamiyah Highway

"Last night, the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) launched a powerful assault on the Homs-Salamiyah Highway in order to cutoff the Syrian Armed Forces’ strategic supply route from their stronghold in the Homs Governorate to their embattled soldiers that are currently entrenched around the Al-Salamiyah District’s eastern outskirts.

ISIS’ surprise assault at the town of Saleem was conducted at Midnight on Tuesday night, as a large wave of armed combatants swarmed this area under the control of the National Defense Forces (NDF), only to withdraw a few hours after their reinforcements were unable to reach their frontlines due to the persistent airstrikes from the Syrian Arab Air Force (SAAF).

Following their late night attack, the militants from ISIS regrouped and launched another assault near the imperative city of Al-Salamiyah on Tuesday morning; this time, the targets were the little towns of ‘Ayn Al-Nisr, Tal ‘Umri, and Al-Quneitrat, which are all located on the Homs-Salamiyah Highway in the eastern countryside of the Hama Governorate.

Despite the tenacity of the ISIS assault in southeastern Hama, the Syrian Armed Forces were able to withstand their ground – with help from the Syrian Air Forces – and push back the terrorist group after a two hour battle on Tuesday morning."

ISIS Fails to Cutoff the Homs-Salamiyah Highway

 

[Bleipriester]

ISIS Launches Offensive at the Tiyas Airbase and T-4 Pumping Station in East Homs

"The Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) has launched another large-scale offensive near the strategic Tiyas Military Airbase and T-4 Pumping Station located in the eastern countryside of the Homs Governorate.

The terrorist group began their assault around 8:30 A.M. (Damascus Time) on Tuesday morning, when their large contingents attacked the Syrian Arab Army’s (SAA) checkpoints on the road to the villages of Qasr Al-Hur and Al-Dawa, capturing two of the barriers at this area in the vicinity of the T-4 Pumping Station.


Not long after the ISIS militants captured the two checkpoints, the Syrian Arab Air Force (SAA) began their relentless assault on the terrorist group’s positions on this road, killing scores of enemy combatants, while also obstructing ISIS reinforcements from reaching this area.

With the help of the Syrian Air Force, the Syrian Armed Forces were able to recover one of the checkpoints after fierce clashes with terrorist group before nightfall; however, the militants from ISIS still control the checkpoint outside of Qasr Al-Hur.

Meanwhile, directly east of the ancient city of Palmyra (Tadmur), the Syrian Arab Army – in coordination with the National Defense Forces (NDF) – attacked the armed combatants of ISIS at the eastern sector of Al-Bayarat, killing 16 enemy combatants inside the town before nightfall on Tuesday.

In addition to their assault on Al-Bayarat, the Syrian Armed Forces targeted ISIS’ positions at the town of Khanayfees, along with the Palmyra Driving School, the Palmyra Castle, and Burj Al-SyriaTel."


Syrian Army Recaptures Strategic Village Near Palmyra

"While the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) stormed the checkpoints surrounding the T-4 Pumping Station and the Tiyas Militay Airbase, the Syrian Armed Forces launched their own assault at the village of Al-Bayarat inside the eastern countryside of the Homs Governorate.

The Syrian Arab Army’s 67th Brigade of the 18th Tank Battalion – in coordination with Liwaa Suqour Al-Sahra (Desert Hawks Brigade) and the National Defense Forces (NDF) – attacked ISIS’ defensive positions at Al-Bayarat, killing 19 armed combatants from the terrorist group before they were able to impose full-control over the village.


The village of Al-Bayarat is located directly west of the ancient city of Palmyra; it is only 10 kilometers away from this aforementioned city inside the Homs Governorate and it currently contains no inhabitants, as most of the residents fled this area after the terrorist group took the city of Palmyra in late April of 2015.

In addition to their assault on Al-Bayarat, the Syrian Armed Forces targeted a large contingent from the terrorist group at the two checkpoints located outside of the T-4 Pumping Station and the Tiyas Military Airbase that were captured on Tuesday morning by the militants of ISIS.

With the Tiger Forces – under the command of Colonel Suheil Al-Hassan – currently entrenched at the town of Jazal, the Syrian Armed Forces will look to make their way back to Palmyra from their northern flank."

ISIS Launches Offensive at the Tiyas Airbase and T-4 Pumping Station in East Homs
Syrian Army Recaptures Strategic Village Near Palmyra

 

[Bleipriester]

Syrian Army on the Doorsteps of Palmyra: Numerous Villages Captured

"It has taken the Syrian Armed Forces almost two months to see the outskirts of the ancient city of Palmyra in east Homs; however, after a tug-of-war battle with the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) in the eastern countryside of the province, the Syrian Arab Army’s “Tiger Forces” – alongside the 67th Brigade of the 18th Tank Division – have finally advanced within 8 kilometers of the city’s outskirts.

On Tuesday afternoon, the SAA’s 67th Brigade launched a counter-assault at the town of Al-Bayarat after the militants from ISIS stormed the villages in the vicinity of the Tiyas Military Airbase and the T-4 Pumping Station to the west of Palmyra.


With ISIS occupying the eastern sector of the town, the SAA’s Tiger Forces and 67th Brigade took advantage of the terrorist group’s negligence and carried out a powerful assault that resulted in the Syrian Armed Forces taking full control of Al-Bayarat before nightfall on Tuesday.

The Syrian Armed Forces did not stop there: on Wednesday morning, the Tiger Forces and their allies attacked a number of sites under the control of ISIS in the Palmyra countryside, killing scores of enemy combatants, while also destroying the terrorist group’s command-and-control center at Jabal Al-Qal’at (Castle Mountains).

In a matter of four short hours, the Syrian Armed Forces took control of Jabal Al-Qal’at, Burj Al-Ishara, Thaniyah Al-Rajmat, Bathar Al-Mazra’, Abu Al-Fawaress Quarries, Rawisiyah Abu Al-Fawaress, and Dhuhour Al-Hayal, killing over 40 enemy combatants and wounding 90 plus militants in the process of capturing these sites in the Palmyra countryside.

To top off their successful day in the Palmyra countryside, the Syrian Armed Forces captured the strategic hill at Tal Al-Maramleh, which is located 11km west of the ancient city."



Syrian Army Captures Al-Qadri Farms in West Palmyra

"The Syrian Armed Forces have been busy these last two days, as they have launched a number of surprise attacks against the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) in the western countryside of the ancient city of Palmyra.

On Wednesday, the Syrian Arab Army’s 67th Brigade of the 18th Tank Division – in coordination with the Tiger Forces and National Defense Forces (NDF) – captured a number of sites in the west Palmyra countryside, including the strategic hill at Tal Al-Qal’at, which sits adjacent to this ancient city located in the deserts of east Homs.


Following their advance at the collection of hills in the western Palmyra countryside, the SAA’s 67th Brigade and the Tiger Forces carried out another powerful assault on Thursday morning, capturing the Al-Qadri Farms after fierce clashes with the terrorist group.

According to a military source from the Tiger Forces, the Syrian Arab Army and the National Defense Forces are approximately 7.5 kilometers away from the ancient city and with recent success at the Jazal Mountains to the north, the Syrian Armed Forces are in prime position to besiege Palmyra from its northern and western flanks.

There is some concern over the Syrian Armed Forces advance, however; this is due to reports of ISIS militants planting explosives at a number of the architectural sites in Palmyra.

While, there is no proof that ISIS militants have planted explosives at these sites, the terrorist group has demonstrated its antipathy for the “idolatrous” statues of the ancient Canaanite god “Ba’al,”"


Syrian Army Captures Al-Dawat Near Palmyra

"The Syrian Arab Army’s 67th Brigade of the 18th Tank Division – in coordination with the National Defense Forces (NDF) and the Tiger Forces – have captured Al-Dawat near the ancient city of Palmyra (Tadmur) in the eastern countryside of the Homs Governorate.

With Al-Dawat under their control, the Syrian Armed Forces are now less than 5 kilometers away from Palmyra’s western flank; if the latter can continue this steady advance along the Palmyra-Homs Highway, they will reach the small collection of mountains on the outskirts of the city in a matter of days.


Currently, the Syrian Armed Forces have moved their frontlines to Abu Al-Farawis on the outskirts of Palmyra, where they have begun to bombard the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham’s positions from the western flank of the city; this will likely be their entry point if they do decide to besiege Palmyra.

Meanwhile, southwest of Palmyra, the Syrian Armed Forces and ISIS are deadlocked in a fierce battle for control of the town of Khanayfees and the nearby Phosphate Mines.

ISIS has imposed control over most of Khanayfees; however, with the help of the Syrian Arab Air Force (SAAF), the Syrian Armed Forces have been able maintain control over the northwestern sector of the town.

In addition to their offensive near the city of Palmyra, the Syrian Armed Forces have conducted a new assault on the town of Jabab Al-Ahmad, attacking ISIS’ positions from the western flank – ongoing clashes."


Syrian Army on the Doorsteps of Palmyra Numerous Villages Captured
Syrian Army Captures Al-Qadri Farms in West Palmyra
Syrian Army Captures Al-Dawat Near Palmyra

 

[Bleipriester]

Syrian Army is 3.5km from Palmyra: How did they do it?

"It took the Syrian Armed Forces three months to regroup and refocus after the loss of Palmyra and its surroundings to the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham(ISIS) in April of this year; however, the devastating territorial losses to the aforementioned terrorist group has allowed for the Syrian Arab Army to reshuffle their brigade assignments in order to switch from the defensive to the offensive.

Part of this readjustment of brigade assignments was to move the Tiger Forces from the Idlib Governorate to the Al-Sha’ar and Jazal Mountains in northeast Homs; this not only alleviated the overstretched 550th Brigade, but also, brought in a group of soldiers (i.e. Tiger Forces) that possessed extensive experience in this desert terrain.


One month after their arrival to Jabal Al-Sha’ar (Poet Mountains), the Tiger Forces – alongside Liwaa Suqour Al-Sahra (Desert Hawks Brigade) – secured these mountains and all of their gas wells, while also advancing south to the town of Jazal and the nearby government gas fields to the west.

Meanwhile, the Tiger Forces’ mobilization to Jabal Al-Sha’ar paid dividends for the Syrian Arab Army’s 67th Brigade of the 18th Tank Division, as this forced ISIS to transfer fighters from the Jubb Al-Jarrah front to the northeast mountains in order to combat the encroaching Tiger Forces and Desert Hawks from capturing the strategic town of Jazal.

For ISIS, this reshuffling of SAA brigade assignments became a thorn in their side, as the latter’s superior equipment and combat formations played an integral role in the capture of Jazal and the Jazal Gas Fields some ten days after the Tiger Forces and Desert Hawks took control of Jabal Al-Sha’ar.

ISIS attempted to counter at Jazal; however, this required them to transfer even more fighters from Jubb Al-Jarrah to the aforementioned town.

As a result of ISIS’ commitment to recapture Jazal, the SAA’s 67th Brigade split up: half the soldiers moved east to the town of Jubb Al-Ahmad and the other began their march to Palmyra alongside the National Defense Forces (NDF).

Two weeks later, the SAA’s 67th Brigade linked up with a unit from the Tiger Forces in order to recapture the eastern groves of Al-Bayarat and its surrounding hills.

Following the capture of Al-Bayarat, the Tiger Forces and the 67th Brigade split-up; this time, the Tiger Forces would lead the charge to capture the Abu Al-Farawees Farms, while the 67th Brigade lead the charge to capture the Al-Qadri Farms – both attacks were successful.

Currently, the Tiger Forces sit less than 5 kilometers from the Qassoun Mountains of Palmyra; meanwhile, to the south, the 67th Brigade sits less than 3.5 km from the last army checkpoint that leads into Palmyra.

In the coming days, the Syrian Armed Forces should advance to the outskirts of Palmyra, but the fear of ISIS destroying historical sites creates a moral dilemma for the SAA’s Central Command – if they attack, this could spell the destruction of Syria’s hidden gem in the desert of Homs."

Syrian Army is 3.5km from Palmyra How did they do it

 

[Bleipriester]

Breaking: Tiger Forces Capture the Palmyra Quarries

"Moments ago, the Syrian Arab Army’s “Tiger Forces” – in coordination with Liwaa Suqour Al-Sahra (Desert Hawks Brigade) – captured the Ancient Quarries in the northwestern countryside of Palmyra after fierce clashes this morning with the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS).

According to a military source in east Homs, the Tiger Forces are officially less than 2 kilometers away from the Qassoun Checkpoint that leads to the Qassoun Mountains of Palmyra.


However, it should be noted: the Syrian Armed Forces appear to be maneuvering around the ancient city in order to position themselves outside of the village of Al-‘Amariyah to the north and the Palmyra farms to the south; this will allow for the Syrian Armed Forces to flank the terrorist group inside the city’s parameters.

Fierce clashes are currently taking place between the Syrian Arab Army’s 63rd Brigade of the 18th Tank Division and ISIS in the southwestern countryside of Palmyra – the majority of these firefights have been reported southeast of the Palmyra Driving School, which is a site that the Syrian Armed Forces captured three days ago.

Meanwhile, at the Farqalus and Qarateen fronts, ISIS’ is still on the offensive at the towns in east Homs, as they seek to break-through the Syrian Armed Forces frontline defenses – currently, they are positioned outside of these towns and have not been able to enter."

Breaking Tiger Forces Capture the Palmyra Quarries

 

[Bleipriester]

Syrian Armed Forces Advancing in Two Different Directions at Palmyra

"For over two months, Palmyra has been under the occupation of the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) and while the terrorist group is on the offensive in two provinces inside northern Syria (Aleppo and Al-Hasakah), they find themselves under attack by the same enemy they captured this ancient city from in late April of 2015.

The Syrian Armed Forces have done a 180 on the Palmyra front, as they have gone from being on the defensive, to reversing many of ISIS’ gains along the vast desert territory encompassing the Palmyra-Homs Highway.


Much of the Syrian Armed Forces’ success in Palmyra has been due in large part to the SAA’s Central Command’s brigade reshuffling on this front; this was an imperative decision that saw the mobilization of the Tiger Forces from the Idlib Governorate to the Jazal and Al-Sha’ar Mountains.

Not long after their arrival, the Tiger Forces watched ISIS’ defensive frontlines crumble in the northern countryside of Palmyra; thus, allowing for the Tiger Forces to sweep the Jazal and Al-Sha’ar Mountains en route to the strategic groves of Al-Bayarat, then to the farms of Abu Al-Fawaris, and finally to the Ancient Quarries.

Meanwhile, to the south, the SAA’s 67th Brigade of the 18th Tank Division found their own level of success along the Palmyra-Homs Highway, where they were able to capture a number of sites over the last two weeks, including the Al-Qadri Farms and the Palmyra Driving School recently.

With the Tiger Forces advancing towards the village of Al-‘Amariyah, the Desert Hawks Brigade – that have fought along their side this whole time – will likely break away to the west of the Qassoun Mountains and attack from this flank.

The Desert Hawks are likely to link up with the SAA’s 67th Brigade, who is also pushing towards the western flank of Palmyra; however, there is always the possibility of the 67th Brigade swooping to the Palmyra Farms at the southern flank – still too early to tell."

Syrian Armed Forces Advancing in Two Different Directions at Palmyra

 

[Bleipriester]

Two Critical Battles Taking Place in East Homs: Palmyra and Tiyas Airbase

"Perhaps one of Syria’s most complex combat zones, the east Homs battle front has erupted with violent clashes between the Syrian Armed Forces and the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) all along this vast desert terrain in eastern Syria.

When ISIS captured the ancient city of Palmyra in late April of 2015, they found themselves marching through east Homs en route to the provincial capital at a rapid pace, leaving many Syrians in fear of the terrorist group’s imminent arrival to their cities.


However, by mid-June, the Syrian Armed Forces had held-out long enough to forestall the terrorist group’s advance; thus, resulting in a counter-offensive at Jabal Al-Sha’ar (Poet Mountains), the city of Jazal, and along the Homs-Palmyra Highway.

Not to be out-down, ISIS launched another offensive in east Homs; however, this time, they had their sights set on the imperative Tiyas Military Airbase and the T-4 Pumping Station some 48km from the ancient city of Palmyra.

On Tuesday morning, the armed combatants from ISIS launched another assault on the southwestern outskirts of Tiyas Military Airbase and while the attack was repelled by the Syrian Armed Forces, the terrorist group did entrench themselves along the rugged terrain surrounding this vital airport.

If the Syrian Armed Forces lose Tiyas Military Airbase and the T-4 Pumping station; this could spell trouble for the Syrian Arab Army in the Homs Governorate, as this airport is responsible for most of the air traffic above this province.

The Syrian Arab Army’s “Tiger Forces” – in coordination with Liwaa Suqour Al-Sahra (Desert Hawks Brigade) – attempted to breach ISIS’ defenses southeast of the Ancient Quarries of Palmyra; however, the terrorist group held on long enough to prevent an infiltration before nightfall on Tuesday.

Southwest of the Ancient Quarries, the Syrian Arab Army’s 67th Brigade of the 18th Tank Division also conducted a fierce assault on ISIS’ positions in the western countryside of Palmyra, killing 21 enemy combatants, while also destroying two enemy vehicles that were mounted with 23mm anti-aircraft machine guns.

Should the Syrian Arab Army capture Palmyra; this could result in the eventual recapture of Sikhanah and the numerous oil fields that are located all long the Sikhanah-Palmyra Road, which would also reopen a vital supply route to the Deir Ezzor Governorate."

Two Critical Battles Taking Place in East Homs Palmyra and Tiyas Airbase

 

[Bleipriester]

Syrian Armed Forces Devastate ISIS at the Palmyra Quarries

"It has been a rough 48 hours for the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham near the ancient city of Palmyra, as both the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and the Syrian Arab Air Force (SAAF) have dealt a lethal blow to the terrorist group around the Ancient Quarries’ outskirts in the east Homs countryside.

On Friday morning, the Syrian Arab Army’s “Tiger Forces” – in coordination with Liwaa Suqour Al-Sahra (Desert Hawks Brigade) – continued their assault on the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham’s (ISIS) positions outside of the Ancient Quarries in the city of Palmyra, killing two dozen enemy combatants en route to their advance towards the village of Al-‘Amariyah.


The morning before this powerful ground assault at the Ancient Quarries southeastern outskirts, the Syrian Air Force delivered a ferocious assault on ISIS’ positions, killing a confirmed 28 enemy combatants, while also destroying six armored vehicles that were mounted with 23mm anti-aircraft machine guns and doshkas.

Meanwhile, near the groves of Al-Bayarat, the terrorist group attempted to recapture the territory they lost to the SAA’s 67th Brigade of the 18th Tank Division; however, the assault was unsuccessful, as the ISIS militants retreated after a fierce six hour battle with the Syrian Armed Forces.

A few setbacks have allowed the terrorist group some breathing room in the Palmyra countryside; however, the Syrian Armed Forces are still within 4km of this historical city in Homs’ eastern countryside."

Syrian Armed Forces Devastate ISIS at the Palmyra Quarries

 

[Bleipriester]

Syrian Air Force Pounds ISIS at Palmyra: Over 90 Airstrikes Reported in East Homs

"The Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) was awoken to a barrage of powerful airstrikes on Saturday morning, as the Syrian Arab Air Force launched their aerial campaign over the eastern Homs countryside.

Unprepared and exposed in the desert terrain, the ISIS militants were at the mercy of the Syrian Air Force, who took advantage of the terrorist group’s long-night of celebrations (end of Ramadan) by launching 90 airstrikes on Saturday.


In the pitch-black desert, the Syrian Air Force began their aerial campaign around 4:15 A.M. (Damascus Time), striking the terrorist group at the ancient city of Palmyra, Qurayteen, Jubb Al-Ahmad, Al-Sukhnah, and Farqalas.

As the Syrian Air Force’s airstrikes intensified over east Homs, so did the Syrian Armed Forces’ ground assault in the western countryside of Palmyra, leaving the ISIS militants with no place to shelter themselves from the relentless onslaught.

Adding to ISIS’ woes in east Homs, the Syrian Armed Forces’ continued their counter-assault in the southern countryside of the Tiyas Airbase, capturing more territory around the Al-Hayl Mountians.

The Syrian Arab Army’s Tiger Forces – in coordination with Liwaa Suqour Al-Sahra (Desert Hawks Brigade) continued their march to the northern entrance of Palmyra city, attacking ISIS at the southeastern perimeter of the Ancient Quarries – clashes have restarted this morning."

Syrian Air Force Pounds ISIS at Palmyra Over 90 Airstrikes Reported in East Homs

 

[Bleipriester]

Syrian Army at the Outskirts of Palmyra: Driving School and Castle Captured

"Following a brief hiatus from the Palmyra front, the Syrian Armed Forces are back on the offensive to capture this ancient city located in the Homs Governorate’s eastern countryside.

On Sunday morning, the Syrian Arab Army’s 67th Brigade of the 18th Tank Division – in coordination with the National Defense Forces (NDF) and Hezbollah) – conducted a powerful assault on the Palmyra Driving School and the Palmyra Castle, killing over 30 enemy combatants from the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham, while also seizing a large cache of automatic rifles, ammunition, and telecommunication devices.


Three hours into the battle for the Palmyra Driving School and the Palmyra Castle, the Syrian Armed Forces and Hezbollah imposed full control over the aforementioned sites after fierce clashes with the terrorist group.

As a result of their success at the Palmyra Driving School and the Palmyra Castle, the Syrian Armed Forces are now 3 kilometers west of the ancient city, leaving ISIS in a difficult position at the western flank.

In addition to their success at the western flank of the Palmyra front, the Syrian Armed Forces continued to clash with ISIS at the southeastern perimeter of the Ancient Quarries – the terrorist is attempting to hold their ground due to the Ancient Quarries proximity to Palmyra.

According to a military source in east Homs, a Syrian Arab Army reconnaissance drone captured footage of almost 300 ISIS fighters fleeing east of the ancient city – the source added that the combatants were heading in the direction of Al-Raqqa."

Syrian Army at the Outskirts of Palmyra Driving School and Castle Captured

 

[Bleipriester]

ISIS Crumbling on Two Fronts in Palmyra

"The Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) stormed the ancient city of Palmyra three months ago with a rather large force of almost 1,800 armed combatants; however, since then, they have redeployed their fighters to other fronts, leaving them susceptible to a counter-assault from the Syrian Armed Forces in the Homs Governorate’s eastern countryside.

As ISIS spreads itself too thin around Syria, the Syrian Arab Army has taken advantage of this at Palmyra, capturing over 150 square kilometers of territory that is spread across Jabal Al-Hayr to the west and the Ancient Quarries of Palmyra to the east.


Recently, the Syrian Arab Army’s 67th Brigade of the 18th Tank Division – in coordination with the National Defense Forces (NDF) and Hezbollah – recaptured the Palmyra Driving School and the Palmyra Castle (Qal’at Tadmur) after fierce clashes with the terrorist group in the western Palmyra countryside.

Following the capture of the Palmyra Driving School and Castle, the Syrian Armed Forces and Hezbollah advanced to the western outskirts of the city, leaving less than 3 km of territory between themselves and Jabal Qasioun (Qasioun Mountains).

To the north of Palmyra, the Syrian Arab Army’s “Tiger Forces” – alongside Liwaa Suqour Al-Sahra (Desert Hawks Brigade) are advancing south of the Ancient Quarries; this has left only 2 kilometers of territory between the Syrian Armed Forces and the village of Al-‘Amariyah in northern Palmyra.

ISIS attempted to fight their way out of this siege on Tuesday; however, their attempt was relatively unsuccessful at the groves of Al-Bayarat and the Palmyra Driving School.

How much longer can ISIS hold out? This answer is contingent on their willingness to dedicate human resources to this desert front."

ISIS Crumbling on Two Fronts in Palmyra

 

[Bleipriester]

ISIS Attempts a Counter-Offensive at Palmyra

"The Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) has been a under a heavy attack from the Syrian Armed Forces and Hezbollah over these last three weeks, leaving the terrorist group in a vulnerable position to defend the ancient city of Palmyra in the eastern countryside of the Homs Governorate.

On Monday morning, the terrorist group launched a counter-offensive at the northern flank of Palmyra, attacking the Syrian Armed Forces and Hezbollah at the Jazal Mountains in order to create a larger buffer-zone between the ancient city and their enemy’s frontline positions.

The ISIS offensive was initially successful, as they were able to capture the territory north of the Ancient Quarries and south of the Jazal Mountains; however, the Syrian Arab Air Force (SAAF) was on the prowl, targeting all of the terrorist group’s movements around the vast desert area in the Homs Governorate’s eastern countryside.

Following the Syrian Air Forces’ relentless airstrikes, the Syrian Arab Army’s 67th Brigade of the 18th Tank Division responded with their own ground assault, recapturing the area north of the Ancient Quarries, while also repelling the terrorist group’s offensive at the Jazal Mountains.

Despite the intensity of this offensive, ISIS was unable to achieve their main objectives, as the Syrian Armed Forces and Hezbollah were successful in recapturing their lost territory, while also, suffering minimal casualties."

ISIS Attempts a Counter-Offensive at Palmyra

 

[Bleipriester]

ISIS Storms Multiple Sites in West Palmyra: Battle for Qurayteen and Teefor Airbase Under Way

"On Tuesday night, the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) has launched a large-scale offensive in the western countryside of Palmyra, targeting the Syrian Armed Forces at the strategically located city of Qurayteen and the Teefor Airbase.

ISIS began their assault near the southeastern perimeter of the Teefor Airbase, when one of their combatants attempted to detonate his vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) at the Syrian Arab Army’s (SAA) checkpoint along the country-road they used as their launching point for their offensive.


The suicide bomber – “Abu Hamza Al-Daroushi” (Saudi) – was unable to reach his destination, as the SAA’s vigilant guards destroyed the terrorist’s vehicle and killed the ISIS combatant.

Intense firefights would follow the failed suicide attack, as a large contingent of ISIS combatants stormed the southeastern checkpoint, where they were confronted by both the Syrian Arab Army and the National Defense Forces (NDF).

These firefights are still ongoing between the two opposing parties; however, a military source has confirmed to Al-Masdar News that the intensity of these firefights have dissipated, despite dawn approaching the eastern Homs countryside.

South of the Teefor Airbase, ISIS conducted a large-scale assault on the city of Qurayteen’s, targeting the National Defense Forces’ frontline positions at the southern perimeter.

According to a recent field report, the firefights between ISIS and the National Defense Forces are still ongoing; however, the Syrian Arab Army’s 550th Brigade of the 18th Tank Division has reportedly arrived on the scene to assist in the defense of the city.

The Syrian Arab Army’s 67th Brigade of the 18th Tank Division reportedly carried out a powerful assault at the town of Timsheel, killing a confirmed 19 enemy combatants from ISIS, including “Abu Mohammad Al-Jindali”, “Abu Mariam Al-Hamwi”, Yousif Bassam Jawad, Qusay Thabet Al-Sheikh, Mohammad Hussein Al-Mur’ay, and Mohammad ‘Abdullah Shamir."

ISIS Storms Multiple Sites in West Palmyra Battle for Qurayteen and Teefor Airbase Under Way

 

[Bleipriester]

ISIS Conducts Major Offensive to Capture an Ancient Christian Town in the West Countryside of Palmyra

"On Wednesday morning, the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) launched a full-scale offensive in the Homs Governorate’s eastern countryside, where they are targeting the ancient Syriac Christian city of Qurayteen and the imperative Tiyas Military Airport that sit to the west of Palmyra.

The terrorist group began their assault at dawn on Wednesday morning, attempting to utilize a vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) to break-through the Syrian Armed Forces’ frontline defenses at the southeastern perimeter of the Tiyas Military Airport; however, this attempted suicide attack was repelled by the vigilant guards of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) before it could reach its destination.


Following the attempted suicide attack, ISIS stormed the checkpoint outside the southeastern perimeter of Tiyas Military Airbase, where they were met with heavy resistance from the Syrian Arab Army and the National Defense Forces (NDF).

Unable to infiltrate past the Syrian Armed Forces’ frontline defenses, the terrorist group was forced to withdraw to the southeast after sustaining significant casualties during the intense battle for the Tiyas Military Airport and the Teefor Pumping Station.

Meanwhile, to the southwest of Tiyas Military Airport, ISIS has launched a powerful assault on the city of Qurayteen, targeting its checkpoints at the southeastern outskirts.

ISIS was able to capture two checkpoints outside of Qurayteen, which allowed for them to finally enter the city and entrench themselves along the road leading to the east district.

Firefights between the terrorist group and the Syrian Armed Forces are still ongoing inside the city of Qurayteen, despite recent claims from ISIS social media activists.

According to a military source in east Homs, reports from inside the city of Qurayteen have confirmed the death of 5 civilians at the hands of ISIS after they were captured by the terrorist group in the east district of the city."

ISIS Conducts Major Offensive to Capture an Ancient Christian Town in the West Countryside of Palmyra

 

[Bleipriester]

ISIS has taken over the town Qurayteen capturing locals without demanding something so far. According to the report, ISIS has already withdrawn from the town. The airforce made sure their number shrinks further. The withdrawal indicates that ISIS considers itself not strong enough to maintain their positions in the region.
The Syrian army has fortified all positions on its march towards Palmyra.

ISIS Seizes the Ancient Christian City of Qurayteen: Over 30 Civilians Kidnapped

"After 18 hours of non-stop fighting at Qurayteen, the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) has seized control of this ancient Syriac Christian city located inside the Homs Governorate’s eastern countryside after fierce clashes with the National Defense Forces (NDF) on Wednesday and Thursday.

Upon taking control of Qurayteen, the terrorist group forced the remaining residents living inside the city to march to the eastern outskirts, where certain civilians were then hand-selected by ISIS to march to an unknown location.

According to ground reports from civilians living in east Homs, over 30 residents of Qurayteen were taken into ISIS’ custody without any rhyme or reason given; this becomes the second time in two months that ISIS has kidnapped a large number of Syrian civilians – the first time being the kidnapping of over 100 civilians in the ancient city of Palmyra.

While, ISIS social media activists assert that they still control Qurayteen, local civilian activists report that the terrorist group has begun to withdraw from the city amid the relentless airstrikes from the Syrian Arab Air Force (SAAF) that are currently pounding their positions.

Qurayteen is a historical Syriac Orthodox city located over 40 km from the provincial capital of Homs; it has been under constant attack by ISIS for two months."

ISIS Seizes the Ancient Christian City of Qurayteen Over 30 Civilians Kidnapped

 

[Bleipriester]

Unfortunately, reports of an ISIS withdrawal seem to be false. Maybe, ISIS withdrew only some fighters or changed its mind about the town.

ISIS Captures Ancient Christian City While the Syrian Army Advances to Southern Palmyra

"The Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) has captured the ancient Syriac Christian city of Al-Qurayteen after fierce clashes with the National Defense Forces (NDF) and the Al-Ba’ath Battalion on Thursday afternoon, leaving the hundreds of remaining civilians under the occupation of this terrorist group’s strict rule.

Following the capture of Al-Qurayteen, ISIS gathered the remaining residents to the city-center, where they hand-selected over 30 civilians that were allegedly Syrian government “spies” and/or “sympathizers” – their whereabouts are currently unknown; however, local activists were able to identify the 30 plus civilians under ISIS’ captivity.

According to a military source in east Homs, ISIS militants used their sleeper cells inside the city to bypass the Syrian Armed Forces’ frontline defenses; this also paved the way for two successful vehicle borne improvised explosive devices (VBIED) to detonate at the defensive barricades around the southeastern perimeter.

Despite the intensity of the Syrian Arab Air Force’s airstrikes, the terrorist group is still in full control of Al-Qurayteen; however, the Syrian Arab Army’s 550th Brigade has arrived to assist the civilian-led militias recapture this Syriac Christian city in east Homs.

Meanwhile, to the east of Al-Qurayteen, the Syrian Arab Army’s 67th Brigade of the 18th Tank Division – in coordination with Hezbollah and the National Defense Forces – have advanced to the village of Al-‘Abbasiyah in the southern countryside of Palmyra (Tadmur).

Firefights are still ongoing to the south of Palmyra, as the Syrian Armed Forces and Hezbollah attempt to flank this ancient city that is located inside the vast desert of eastern Syria."

ISIS Captures Ancient Christian City While the Syrian Army Advances to Southern Palmyra

 

[Bleipriester]

Syrian Army Launches Counter-Assault to Recapture Ancient Christian Town in West Palmyra

"Some 48 hours after the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) captured the imperative city of Al-Qurayteen, the Syrian Arab Army’s 550th Brigade of the 18th Tank Division – in coordination with the National Defense Forces (NDF) and the Al-Ba’ath Battalions – launched a counter-offensive to force the terrorist group to withdraw from this area located on the M-7 Highway.

The Syrian Armed Forces began their counter-assault on Thursday night, when they conducted an assault on ISIS’ newly fortified defensive positions at Al-Qurayteen’s western sector, resulting in the terrorist group’s withdrawal from the city’s western entrance after fierce firefights that lasted until Friday morning.

Despite their success on Friday morning, the Syrian Armed Forces were unable to recapture the city from the terrorist; however, they have entrenched themselves inside the western sector of Al-Qurayteen, where they will attempt to break-through ISIS’ defenses and reclaim the territory they lost on Wednesday night.

Besides Al-Qurayteen’s illustrious history, the city holds a strategic importance to the Syrian Armed Forces, due to its proximity to the Homs-Palmyra Highway.

Northeast of Al-Qurayteen, the Syrian Arab Army’s 67th Brigade of the 18th Tank Division continued its assault on ISIS’ positions at the town of Al-‘Abbasiyah in the southern countryside of Palmyra, killing over 15 enemy combatants and destroying three armored vehicles that were mounted with 23mm anti-aircraft machine guns.

Firefights were also reported between the Syrian Armed Forces and ISIS at the Jazal Mountains, Al-Hawareen, Jubb Al-Ahmad, Palmyra Driving School, and the Tiyas Military Airbase."

Syrian Army Launches Counter-Assault to Recapture Ancient Christian Town in West Palmyra

 

[Bleipriester]

Washington condemns ISIS recent kidnappings in Homs province

"Washington, SANA-The United States vehemently condemned ISIS recent kidnappings in al-Qaryatein city in Homs province.

On Thursday, the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) kidnapped 230 civilians, among them women and children, after attacking al-Qaryatein city in Homs eastern countryside.


In a statement published on the State Department’s website, the US State Department’s deputy spokesperson Mark Toner demanded the immediate and unconditioned release of all the kidnapped seized by ISIS.

“This crime testifies to ISIS’s rampant criminality and brutality against all those who disagree with its divisive goals and toxic beliefs,”Toner added."

Washington condemns ISIS recent kidnappings in Homs province

 

[Bleipriester]

Syrian Air Force Conducts Aerial Campaign Over East Homs: 30 ISIS Fighters Killed at Al-Qurayteen

"The Syrian Arab Air Force (SAAF) has launched an aerial campaign over the Homs Governorate’s eastern countryside on Sunday morning, targeting the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham’s (ISIS) positions around the province’s vast desert area that stretches to the southwestern border of Iraq.

ISIS captured the strategically located city of Al-Qurayteen on Wednesday after fierce clashes with the National Defense Forces (NDF); however, since the capture of this ancient Assyrian city in the Homs Governorate, the terrorist group has been unable to advance to the nearby towns due to the Syrian Air Force’s constant bombardments that have forestalled any advance for ISIS.


On Sunday morning, things did not get any better for ISIS, as the Syrian Air Force conducted over 20 airstrikes in Al-Qurayteen, killing an estimated 30 enemy combatants from the terrorist group, including two Saudi fighters that were identified by ISIS social media activists as “Abu ‘Abdullah” and “Abu Majer.”

In addition to the death of the estimated 30 enemy combatants, the Syrian Air Force destroyed 7 armored vehicles that were mounted with anti-aircraft machine guns.

The Syrian Air Force also continued their aerial assault over the Palmyra countryside, targeting an agglomeration of ISIS militants near the eastern perimeter of the Ancient Quarries.

Currently, firefights are ongoing between the Syrian Armed Forces and ISIS at the town of Al-‘Abbasiyah – a town located south of Palmyra.

Firefights have also been reported between the Syrian Armed Forces and ISIS at the western sector of Al-Qurayteen, as the former attempts to recapture this city that is currently under the control of the terrorist group."

Syrian Air Force Conducts Aerial Campaign Over East Homs 30 ISIS Fighters Killed at Al-Qurayteen

 

[Bleipriester]

Syrian Army Secures a Syriac Christian Town in East Homs

"On Sunday morning, the Syrian Arab Army’s 550th Brigade of the 18th Tank Division – in coordination with the National Defense Forces (NDF) and the Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP) – countered the Islamic State of Iraq of Al-Sham (ISIS) at the Syriac Christian town of Al-Maheen after the Syrian Arab Air Force (SAAF) launched a series of airstrikes over the Homs Governorate’s eastern countryside.

The Syrian Air Force paved the way for the SAA’s 550th Brigade’s counter-offensive at Al-Maheen, as the multitude of airstrikes on the terrorist group’s positions fractured their frontlines and forced many of their armed combatants to abandon their posts in order to seek shelter from the hell being rained down on them at the ancient cities of Al-Qurayteen and Palmyra.


Following the persistent airstrikes launched by the Syrian Air Force, the SAA’s 550th Brigade and their allies carried out a powerful assault on ISIS’ positions at Maheen, killing over 20 enemy combatants and destroying four of their armored vehicles that were mounted with a number of 23mm anti-aircraft machine guns before they were able to declare this city under their complete control.

As a result of their success at Al-Maheen, the Syrian Armed Forces advanced to the western axis of Al-Qurayteen, where they are currently engaged in fierce combat during these twilight hours in east Homs.

Meanwhile, to the north of Al-Qurayteen, ISIS attempted to breach the Syrian Armed Forces’ frontline defenses at the Tiyas Military Airport and the Teefor Pumping Station; however, they were unsuccessful for the third straight day, as the Syrian Armed Forces cleared this area before nightfall on Sunday."

Syrian Army Secures a Syriac Christian Town in East Homs