The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

Syrian desert | Clashes are underway between ISIS and regime forces, and Russian jets execute over 170 airstrikes in 72 hours

SOHR sources have reported that Russian fighter jets have executed over 40 airstrikes on the Syrian desert in the past 24 hours, targeting positions in Athariya area, the eastern countryside of Hama, Al-Rasafah desert in Al-Raqqah countryside and Al-Sukhnah desert in the eastern countryside of Homs. These airstrikes coincided with battles and combing operations in the region, searching for ISIS members and cells.

 

On the other hand, ISIS continue its ambushes and blitzes on positions of regime forces, loyalists and militiamen of tribes that joined the regime-backed “National Defence Forces” (NDF). However, no further details have been reported yet about the number of casualties and material damage caused by the ongoing battles and bombardment.

 

Accordingly, the number of airstrikes on the Syrian desert in the past 72 hours has exceeded 170.

 

SOHR sources have also confirmed that ISIS has withdrawn from regime positions which it had captured this morning after fierce clashes in Al-Shakouziyyah and Al-Rahjan.

 

Observatory activists had documented casualties on both sides in shelling and clashes in the past 48 hours, as 19 regime soldiers and loyalists were killed, while ISIS lost 12 members. The death toll is expected to rise, as several combatants on both sides have injured, some seriously.