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Syrian Army Adventures
25 elite Syrian troops repel assault by 350 ISIS militants in ‘Uqayribat pocket[AlMasdar] According to the Syrian Arab Army’s (SAA) elite ISIS Hunters unit operating in central Syria, a disproportionately small number of their forces repelled a large Islamic State counteroffensive at a key town near the provincial borders of Homs and Hama Governorates in the ‘Uqayribat pocket. According to the ISIS Hunters, some twenty-five of their troops stationed at the town of Mashrifah in north-central Homs came under attack by 350 ISIS terrorists during the late night hours of Wednesday through till Thursday and managed to successfully turn it back. If the claim is in fact anywhere near the truth, then there can be no doubt that the elite SAA unit was supported by constant Russian airstrikes since only Russian airpower has the technological means to carry out precision night attacks. Earlier today, key formations of the Syrian Army – including the 5th Assault Corps and the 4th Mechanized Division – officially liberated six major towns from ISIS, trapping the terrorist group’s forces in a second encirclement within the greater ‘Uqayribat pocket area. Syrian Army creates new ISIS pocket in east Hama after liberating 6 major towns [AlMasdar] The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) has liberated six major towns from besieged ISIS militants throughout eastern Hama Governorate in a mammoth advance that has been ongoing since yesterday. As of today, the Syrian Army has secured the towns of al-Mashrifah, al-Hafiya and al-Zarouniyah located to the southeast of the regional Islamic State stronghold of ‘Uyaqribat, whilst also liberating the settlements of Qastal Shamali, Qastal Wistani and Qastal Janoubi to ‘Uyaqribat’s northeast. The advance was led by the 5th Assault Corps – including the elite ISIS Hunters detachment – as well as key elements of the veteran 4th Mechanized Division and was achieved after a number high-pitched battles with ISIS fighters. By this advance, the Syrian Army has de facto created a second envelopment of already besieged ISIS forces in eastern Hama Governorate. The new encirclement exists to the northeast of ‘Uyaqribat and consists of about ten ISIS-held settlements there within. SAA liberate 4 towns from IS in eastern Hama: video [AlMasdar] Units of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) recaptured four towns in eastern Hama province, Tuesday, as they advanced within 10 kilometres (6.21 miles) of the self-proclaimed Islamic State’s (IS; formerly ISIS/ISIL) regional stronghold at ‘Uqayribat.’ Footage shows units of the SAA engaged in clashes with militants near the village of Salba. The SAA reportedly managed to liberate the towns of Haddaj, Rasm Zainab, Tahmaz and Bir Ghazaleh. ISIS claims it killed another Russian soldier in east Hama, second in 24 hours [AlMasdar] The ISIS terrorist group is claiming that its fighters have killed yet another Russian soldier in eastern Hama Governorate amid ongoing battles with pro-government forces there. ISIS media claims that the soldier was killed at the town of Mashirfah about two kilometers from the Islamic State’s regional stronghold of ‘Uqayribat. This is the same location where the first Russian soldier was said to be slain. The ISIS-linked Amaq news group released an image yesterday of the what it claims to be the second Russian solider killed by Islamic State forces in eastern Hama, however, Al-Masdar News is not allowed to release the photo per a recent policy on the sharing of static images showing dead pro-government fighters. The picture released by Amaq is, in the eyes of some analysts, highly questionable. The deceased soldier is shown to have a beard (forbidden in the Russian military) and very old Soviet-style equipment which puts him more in the realm of a native Syrian National Defence Forces fighter than a Russian military advisor. Syrian Army takes over strategic mountain en route to Deir Ezzor [AlMasdar] Having fully recaptured the town of Sukhnah in east Homs countryside and secured the surrounding areas, the Syrian Army has officially entered the administrative borders of Deir Ezzor. According to an informed military source, the government troops imposed full control over the strategic Bishiri mountain located to the west of Deir Ezzor city. The mountain is strategically important as it overlooks Kobajjep and Ash-Shola; two towns located on the road from Sukhna to Deir Ezzor which also serve as major bastions for the Islamic State. The same source added that the blitz – led by the SAA’s elite Tiger Forces – has killed and injured dozens of the jihadi militants. Meantime, the Russian jets conducted several airstrikes against ISIS outposts and fortification in and around the mountain. VIDEO: Syrian airpower flattens ISIS command base in Deir Ezzor [AlMasdar] The Syrian Arab Air Force (SyAAF) has carried out a precision airstrike against an ISIS command base in Deir Ezzor city, completely destroying it. The raid, from beginning to end, was captured on video by unknown pro-government fighters who were clearly aware of when and where the strike was going to take place. According to reports, the SyAAF airstrike was conducted in the ISIS-occupied al-Rashdiyah district of Deir Ezzor against a building identified by local intelligence to be a headquarters for the terrorist group’s forces in the city. Sources also say that about a dozen ISIS fighters were killed and injured as a result of the raid and that at least two field commanders of the jihadist faction were present in the targeted building at the time of it being hit. For a better understanding of the situation in and around Deir Ezzor, click here to see an interactive map. Syrian Army, allies liberate key village from ISIS in central Homs [AlMasdar] The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and its allies continue to advance against ISIS in central Homs, today liberating a key village and putting themselves in position to create a second envelopment of the terrorist group’s already besieged forces within the ever-shrinking ‘Uqayribat pocket. Early today, the Syrian troops secured al-Wahabiyah village which is located five kilometers to the west of Manukh town. Pro-government forces were able to take the settlement after a brief firefight with ISIS. According the military sources, pro-government forces are looking to separate ISIS militants in central Homs from those in eastern Hama Governorate. At the very least, pro-government forces hope that the threat of being double-besieged inside a single pocket will entice ISIS fighters to retreat north to eastern Hama, allowing the SAA to liberate central Homs without too much of a fight. Posted by: trailing wife 2017-09-01 |
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