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.