BERIUT, LEBANON (8:45 A.M.) – The Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL/IS/Daesh) is regaining its strength near the ancient city of Palmyra, while the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and jihadist rebels trade offensive in northwestern Syria.
Speaking to Al-Masdar from Damascus city, a military source stated that the Islamic State has recently stepped up their operations in central Syria, targeting the Syrian Army more frequently around the key road between the cities of Al-Sukhneh and Palmyra.
According to the source, the Islamic State’s ambushes and raids in central Syria are well-coordinated and proof that the terrorist group possesses the ability to wreak havoc inside the country.
In May, the Syrian Army suffered more than 100 casualties at the hands of the Islamic State in central Syrian. However, it appears that the June casualties may exceed those of May, as the Syrian Army has already lost several soldiers as a result of the terrorist group’s attacks.
With the ongoing battle in northwestern Syria occupying many of the Syrian Arab Army units, there are grave concerns that the Islamic State may take advantage of the situation and launch a wide-scale assault against the government forces.
The Islamic State is estimated to have between 2,000-3,000 fighters in the Badiya Al-Sham region of central and eastern Syria; this leaves the terrorist group with more than enough fighters to take over a large part of this desert region.
Should this happen, the Syrian Arab Army may be forced to halt their operations in northwestern Syria in order to stop an Islamic State advance.
Content retrieved from: https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/isis-regaining-momentum-near-palmyra-as-fighting-rages-in-northwestern-syria/.
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