The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

Battles of Al-Sukhnah, 24 hours on: nearly 60 fatalities of ISIS and regime forces, large regime reinforcement brought into conflict zones, and Russian jets continue bombing ISIS positions

Syrian Observatory activists have reported seeing large military reinforcement of regime forces and loyalists arriving at positions and stations in Al-Sukhnah and its outskirts. Regime forces also boosted and fortified their positions, with full Russian support, on Homs-Deir Ezzor road in the Syrian desert.

These developments come in the wake of the escalating ISIS resurgence in the Syrian desert, which culminated in the attack unleashed by ISIS in the early hours of yesterday morning. During this attack, which is still underway, ISIS have targeted regime positions in Al-Sukhnah area in the far eastern countryside of Homs. Meanwhile, Russian and regime jets are continuing heavy aerial bombardment on ISIS positions.

Reliable sources have informed SOHR that regime forces recovered all positions they lost recently to ISIS in Al-Sukhnah.

SOHR activists have also documented many casualties in the ranks of both parties in the past 24 hours due to intense aerial and ground strikes and fierce battles. At least 32 regime soldiers and loyalists were killed, while the number of ISIS fatalities jumped to 26.

Since the 24th of March 2019, SOHR has documented the killing of at least 415 regime soldiers and loyalists of Syrian and non-Syrian nationalities, including at least two Russians, and 75 Iranian-backed militiamen of non-Syrian nationalities. All were killed in attacks, bombings and ambushes by the “Islamic State”, west of Euphrates in the deserts of Deir Ezzor, Homs, and Al-Suwaidaa.

Also four civilians working in gas fields, two shepherds and four other people were killed and documented by SOHR in the same period, from late March 2019 until today; all were killed in attacks carried out by ISIS cells. While 150 ISIS members were also killed in attacks and bombardment in the same period.