Many killed and wounded | ISIS attacks checkpoint of “Liwa al-Quds ” in western desert of al-Raqqah

ISIS attacks on the positions of regime forces and their proxies continue throughout the Syrian desert, despite all security campaigns carried out by regime forces during the recent period, which coincided with the intensive Russian airstrikes on ISIS positions. In this context, SOHR sources have reported that ISIS members attacked a checkpoint belonging to the pro-regime Palestinian “Liwa al-Quds” in al-Rusafa desert in the western countryside of al-Raqqah, killing two members and wounding six others.

Earlier this morning, SOHR reported that Russian airstrikes continued on ISIS positions in the countryside of Hama, Al-Raqqah and Deir Ezzor, as the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights activists reported that Russian fighter jets consecutively targeted ISIS positions with more than 45 airstrikes in the past few hours, targeting Jabal al-Bishri area at the administrative borders between al-Raqqah, Deir Ezzor and the countryside of Hama, in addition to positions in al-Sukhnah desert in the eastern countryside of Homs. Meanwhile, the airstrikes hit caves and bunkers where ISIS members are likely to hide in, and struck their vehicles, while at least six members were killed. However, the death toll may be larger due to the topography of the area.

Yesterday, SOHR activists reported violent clashes in the eastern countryside of Hama, between regime forces and their proxy militants on one side, and ISIS members on the other. The clashes, which lasted from last night to this morning, concentrated in the vicinity of Bayoud in the countryside of al-Rahjan and left four pro-regime militants dead, while ISIS lost at least one member. A civilian from the region’s tribes was also killed after being hit with an indiscriminate gunshot.

Yesterday morning, SOHR documented the killing of 7 members of regime forces and their proxy militants, in the explosion of at least two mines blowing  a military force in Jabal al-Amour area, to the west of Al-Sukhnah area in the eastern desert of Homs. Meanwhile, the death toll is expected to rise due to the number of injuries that exceeds 18, some of whom are in serious conditions.

Since 24th of March 2019, SOHR has documented the killing of at least 1,421 regime soldiers and loyalists of Syrian and non-Syrian nationalities, including at least two Russians, and 149 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 and tens of shepherds and other civilians, including children and women, 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 937ISIS members were also killed in attacks and bombardment in the same period.