Syrian desert in 10 days | Nearly 90 regime soldiers, militiamen and ISIS members killed, and Russian jets target the region with more than 700 airstrikes
In light of ISIS’ significant resurgence, the Syrian desert continues to witness major military operations, where the group intensifies its attacks and ambushes, draining regime forces, loyal militias and the Russians. Attacks, ambushes and other violent incidents are taking place dailyin various areas in the Syrian desert, such as frontlines at the Aleppo-Hama-Raqqah triangle, and the deserts of Deir ez-Zor and Homs. On the other hand, Russian jets fly daily over these areas, executing dozens of airstrikes in an attempt to target and limit the group’s increasing activities.
Since the beginning of February, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has monitored approximately 700 airstrikes executed by Russian jets.
However, airstrikes did not result in losses commensurate with the scale and intensity of the strikes.
In 10 days, the Syrian Observatory has documented the deaths of 33 ISIS members in shelling and clashes, while at least 56 members of the regime forces and loyal militiamen, such as the Palestinian Al-Quds Brigade, the National Defense, the Baqir Brigade and other militias, were killed in the same period.
It is worth noting that 26 members were killed in an ambush in Deir ez-Zor countryside, and 19 were killed in a surprise attack by the group in eastern Hama, therefore, 45 members of regime forces were killed in two ISIS operations.
Since 24th of March 2019, SOHR has documented the killing of at least 1,308 regime soldiers and loyalists of Syrian and non-Syrian nationalities, including at least two Russians, and 145 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 733 ISIS members were also killed in attacks and bombardment in the same period.