Regime forces bring in military reinforcement to Homs | Russian fighter jets continue attacks on Syrian desert

Reliable sources have informed SOHR that the regime forces have brought in new military reinforcement to Homs Desert, consisted of military vehicles, heavy weapons and dozens of soldiers.

On the other hand, Russian jets have conducted nearly 20 raids on ISIS hideouts in Hama and Homs desert areas, which rises total number of Russian raids on Syrian desert to 45 since the beginning on January.

SOHR activists documented more than 25 raids conducted by Russian fighter jets on the Syrian desert in the first day of 2022 on Al-Rasafah and Atheriyah desert, and other hideouts of ISIS in Al-Raqqah. However, no casualties were reported.

On December 31, SOHR sources reported that eight Russian helicopters arrived at Palmyra military airport from Russia’s Hmeimim base in Lattakia province.

On the other hand, a convoy of joint forces of the “Fifth Corps” and “Liwaa Al-Quds”, comprising 100 soldiers, armoured vehicles, and tanks, headed from Deir Ezzor to Palmyra in eastern Homs countryside, at Russia’ orders. The convoy was escorted by Russian helicopters.

According to SOHR sources, Russian forces intend to establish new military posts for the Russian-backed “Fifth Corps” and “Liwaa Al-Quds” in Palmyra city and its desert with the aim to compete with Iranian-backed militias which are also deployed in that region in large groups.

Moreover, Russian forces intend to launch a large-scale military campaign under direct supervision of Russian officers only to search for ISIS members hidden in Palmyra desert, as they have been more active and numerous throughout the Syrian desert in recent times.