15 km separates the regime from the expelling the “Islamic State” organization of about 1000 km and terminating its presence in Aleppo province
Clash continue at a violent pace between the regime forces and militiamen loyal to them of Syrian and non-Syrian nationalities against the “Islamic State” organization, on the road of Ithriyah-al-Resafa at Al-Raqqah – Aleppo – Hama triangle, after a renewed attack by the regime forces today and managed to achieve a 12 km advancement, and the regime forces reached Al-Syriatel checkpoint and took control of it, and this is the first strategic advancement for the regime forces in the Triangle area of Al-Raqqah – Hama – Aleppo, after controlling al-Resafa town located on the road of Ithriyah-Al-Raqqah on the 19th of June 2017.
This advancement of the regime forces, backed by heavy missile and artillery bombardment and warplanes shelling on the “Islamic State’ organization-held areas, comes as a part of encircling tactic for the regime forces led by Tiger Groups aimed at encircling as large area as they can and forcing the “Islamic State” organization to choose between fighting until the end or withdrawing to other areas held under its control before falling in complete siege. The Syrian Observatory for Human monitored that there are still 15 km left so that the regime forces could tighten the siege on the remaining area controlled by the organization in the southeastern countryside of Aleppo, and the organization is stationed on hills and positions allowing them to overlook areas in the vicinity of these hills.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also learned that in case the “Islamic State” organization withdrew from the southeastern countryside of Aleppo, the regime forces would have regained control over the areas controlled by the organization in the southeastern countryside of Aleppo, an area estimated of about 1000 square km, and hence the presence of the “Islamic State” organization in Aleppo province is completely ended. Also, this means that the regime forces have completely secured the road of Aleppo-Khanaser-Ithriyah, and that the road extending from Ithriyah to al Salamiyah is vulnerable for attacks by the organization which is deployed on a distance close to the road in the eastern and northeastern countryside of Salamiyah. Moreover, this advance will allow the regime forces to approach Twinah gas field that they seek to control.