The Syrian Arab Air Force (SAAF) has launched a new aerial campaign over the eastern part of the Homs Governorate in order to target the large presence of Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) militants occupying this vast desert region that connects the Syrian provinces of Al-Raqqa, Deir Ezzor, Rif Dimashq, and Al-Hasakah.
This large-scale aerial campaign began at 5:30 A.M. (Damascus Time) on Wednesday morning, when the Syrian Air Force mercilessly bombarded ISIS’ positions at the towns of ‘Arak, As-Sikhanah, Al-Tayba, Jabab Al-Hamid, Wadi Abyad, Umm Taweenah, Umm Al-Sareej, Al-Muqassam, and Al-Salihiyah, where they targeted the terrorist group’s movements around Homs’ desert landscape in the eastern countryside.
In addition to these airstrikes near the ancient city of Palmyra, the Syrian Air Force conducted a number of air raids over the mountains of northeastern Homs; this included the Abu ‘Aqabeen Mountains and the southeastern part of the Al-Sha’ar Mountains (specifically the village of Jazal).
All-in-all, the Syrian Air Force conducted 83 airstrikes over the eastern countryside of the Homs Governorate; this number is likely to increase in the coming days, as the Syrian Armed Forces continue their push from the village of Jazal in Jabal Al-Sha’ar towards the ancient city of Palmyra.