ISIS resurgence | Fresh surprise attack targets Iranian-backed militias in Homs desert

Syrian Observatory sources have reported a new surprise attack by ISIS members, in the past few hours, on posts of Iranian-backed militias and regime forces in the surrounding areas of Arak oil field in east Homs desert. The attack was followed by clashes between the two sides, amid reports of casualties.

 

Yesterday, SOHR sources reported that unknown gunmen believed to be of ISIS cells unleashed an attack on a guard post of the IRGC-backed militia of “Al-Qura” on the bank of Euphrates river in Al-Asharah city in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor. The attack left four Syrian militiamen dead and others injured.

 

Observatory activists documented earlier that day the death of four Iranian-backed militiamen and injury of two others, as an IED, planted by unknown gunmen believed to be of ISIS cells, exploded in their car near Wadha village of Maskanah town in the eastern countryside of Aleppo.

 

Syrian Observatory activists had documented the death of eight regime-backed militiamen in surprise attacks by ISIS members on their posts and checkpoints in different areas in the Syrian desert yesterday. Meanwhile, Russian jets responded to these attacks by executing tens of airstrikes on ISIS positions, leaving casualties.

 

Since 24th of March 2019, SOHR has documented the killing of at least 1,339 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 754 ISIS members were also killed in attacks and bombardment in the same period.