ISIS resurgence | 11 members of regime-backed “National Defense” killed in attack in eastern Hama countryside
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has documented the killing of at least 11 members of the regime-backed “National Defense”, as a result of fierce battles and attacks by the Islamic State on frontlines of the villages of Rasim Abu al-Mayal, Jab Abyad, Al-Shahatiya, Twal al-Qaysoum and Rasim Sheba in eastern desert of Hama, with the absence of Russian jets from the area for more than 24 hours.
The attack comes hours after regime forces, loyalists and Russian-backed militias combed several locations in addition to the village of Marijeb al-Jamlan in eastern Hama countryside, supported by Russian aircraft, which targeted the group’s positions with some 40 airstrikes.
The death toll in the last 48 hours has risen to 33 members of the regime forces, loyalists and ISIS members. Where 15 members of the Islamic State were killed while 18 members of the regime forces and loyalists were killed. The death toll is expected to rise as some injured are in serious condition, amid reports of further fatalities.
On the other hand, the number of strikes has increased to more than 100 Russian airstrikes, as well as several strikes by regime jets, coinciding with clashes during the same period.
Yesterday, SOHR sources said that fierce battles were still underway between regime forces and proxy militias on one hand, and ISIS members on the other, as SOHR sources reported that violent clashes erupted this morning in Jabal Al-Bishri area and near Aleppo-Hama-Al-Raqqah triangle.
These clashes come as a part of regime forces’ attempts to put an end to ISIS’ activities which have stepped up its operations with the aim to deplete regime forces in the region.
On December 13, Syrian Observatory activists monitored a squadron of Russian fighter jets flying over the Syrian desert since the early hours of Sunday morning, along with executing intensive strikes on ISIS positions in Aleppo-Hama-Al-Raqqah triangle. The Russian airstrikes coincided with fierce clashes on frontlines in the area.
Since 24th of March 2019, SOHR has documented the killing of at least 1,079 regime soldiers and loyalists of Syrian and non-Syrian nationalities, including at least two Russians, and 144 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, 11 shepherds and four other people were killed and documented by SOHR in the same period, from late March 2019 until today. They were killed in attacks by ISIS cells. While 601 ISIS members were also killed in attacks and bombardment in the same period.