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ISIS seizes Syrian airbase in Homs
HOMS – Subsequent to fierce clashes with Syrian army forces, militant fighters of the Islamic State (ISIS) on Tuesday seized control of a military camp near T4 airbase from the pro-regime army forces in eastern Homs, central Syria, killing dozens of soldiers and wounding others, local sources reported.ISIS jihadis have targeted several positions of the regime’s army with heavy weapons. Speaking to ARA News, media activist Nasser al-Ali, based in Palmyra of Homs province, said that ISIS militants launched on Tuesday morning a surprise attack on several strongholds for the regime’s army forces near the T4 airbase, killing dozens of pro-regime troops and wounding many others. “The ISIS-led attack was preceded by heavy artillery bombardment on the military base before breaking into it,” he reported. The source explained that the clashes continued for hours and ended up with ISIS control over the entire battalion. “ISIS also took over two checkpoints for the regime’s defense line near the T4 airbase, after the withdrawal of pro-regime forces towards the T4 airport,” he told ARA News. At least 20 members of the regime forces were reportedly killed and dozens more were injured, according to a Syrian army officer, who spoke to ARA News on condition of anonymity for security concerns. The radical group lost two jihadis during Tuesday’s confrontations, according to sources close to ISIS. “The [ISIS] jihadis were able to seize control of two cannons [caliber 57 and 23] in addition to a big deal of light and medium weapons, including two military vehicles,” the source added. During the clashes, ISIS bombed the T4 military airport with mortars and heavy artillery in a bid to prevent the regime’s army from receiving additional reinforcements there. The group seeks to take over the T4 airbase in order to cut the army’s supply lines in the historic city of Palmyra in Homs province. Posted by: badanov 2016-05-11 |
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