On Monday morning, the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) launched a surprise assault at Wadi Al-Sahlah and the groves of Al-Bayarat, targeting the Syrian Arab Army’s defensive positions in Palmyra’s western countryside amid a powerful sandstorm that was sweeping through the Homs Governorate.
Unfortunately for the terrorist group, the harsh weather did not give them the boost they were looking for, as the Syrian Arab Army’s 67th Brigade of the 18th Tank Division – in coordination with the National Defense Forces (NDF) – repelled the ISIS assault at Wadi Al-Sahlah, killing over 30 combatants and destroying 6 armored vehicles that were mounted with 23mm anti-aircraft machine guns.
In addition to their assault at Wadi Al-Sahlah, ISIS conducted a powerful assault at the groves of Al-Bayarat in western Palmyra, where they ran into a well-prepared platoon from the Syrian Arab Army’s 67th Brigade.
Following a violent three hour engagement, the Syrian Armed Forces were finally able to ward off the encroaching terrorists after they killed 13 enemy combatants from ISIS, while also recapturing the eastern groves of Al-Bayarat.
North of Al-Bayarat, the Syrian Arab Army’s 67th Brigade – in coordination with Liwaa Suqour Al-Sahra (Desert Hawks Brigade) – recaptured the strategic town of Jazal after two days of non-stop fighting; this town was originally captured by ISIS on Sunday.
