The regime forces continue attacking in the Syrian Desert and control a new area in Deir Ezzor province

The violent clashes are ongoing in several areas in the northern and eastern deserts of al-Sukhnah in the eastern countryside of Homs, and other areas at the administrative borders between the eastern countryside of Homs and the southern countryside of Deir Ezzor between the regime forces and their allied militiamen of Syrian and non-Syrian nationalities against the “Islamic State” organization, and the clashes are accompanied with renewed aerial and missile shelling on the clash area, and sounds of explosions were heard that was caused by a car bomb by ISIS in Hamima area in al-Sukhnah desert, and there is information about human losses and injured in the ranks of both parties.

The ongoing clashes allowed the regime forces, through aerial and missile cover allowed the regime forces to control Dowakhila Valley area in the southern countryside of Deir Ezzor on the administrative borders with the eastern countryside of Homs, which is 10 km and half away from T2 station, also the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights published that violent clashes are taking place between the “Islamic State” organization on one hand, and the regime forces and gunmen loyal to them of Syrian, Lebanese, Iraqi, Afghan and Palestinian nationalists on the other, in areas in the north and east of the desert of Al-Sukhnah city in the eastern countryside of Homs and near the outskirts of the northern area of Wahat Al-Kum in the administrative triangle border between Al-Raqqah, Homs and Deir Ezzor, follwing the aerial landing carried out by the regime forces with an aerial cover of Russian helicopters and warplanesin the area of Al-Kun which also enabled them to penetrate into the borders of Homs province from the north-eastern side, clashes are also taking place between the both parties on several areas in the eastern countryside of Hama, the clashes accompanied by intensive air strikes of Russian warplanes and the regime’s warplanes and their intensive and continuous shelling on the clash areas as well as the missile shelling and the exchange of targeting between the both parties, the regime forces are seeking through these clashes in areas mentioned above, to penetrate more and decrease areas controlled by the organization one by one where they approached to besiege completely on thousands of kilometers controlled by the “Islamic State” organization in the provinces of Homs and Hama, while the organization seeks fiercely to avoid this siege in by defending its positions and carrying out counter-attacks against the regime forces to show its abilities to attack.

The ongoing violent clashes, which are accompanied by aerial and missile shelling and the explosions, resulted in more casualties between both parties. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights documented since the 17th of July 2017, the date the regime forces ended the presence of ISIS in the western part of the southern countryside of al-Raqqa, until the 13th of August 2017, an increase in the death toll in the ranks of the regime forces and ISIS, where it rose to at least 264, the number of members of the regime forces, the Palestainian al-Quds Brigade, the Palestinian al-Jaleel Forces and militiamen loyal to them of Syrian and non-Syrian nationalities, who were killed during this period in the bombardment, shelling and clashes with members of the organization, including 42 officers of different ranks, and it rose to at least 321, the number of members of the “Islamic State” organization, who were killed and documented by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights during the same period, including local and field leaders, and at least 16 members who blew themselves up with explosive belts and car bombs, the shelling and the battles injured tens of both parties with varying severity.

Also Syrian Observatory for Human Rights published yesterday that that 25 members at least of the “Islamic State” organization were killed and others were injured during the aerial landing carried out by the regime forces with an aerial cover of Russian helicopters and warplanes, on the north of Wahat Al-Kum area in the administrative triangle between Al-Raqqah, Homs and Deir Ezzor, following the intensive shelling and violent clashes that took place between the members of the “Islamic State” organization on one hand, and the members of the regime forces and gunmen loyal to them of Syrian and non-Syrian nationalities on the other, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also documented the killing of six members at least of the regime forces and gunmen loyal to them one of them is a commander, where the regime forces managed during this operation to penetrate into the borders of the province of Homs, and approach to besiege completely on thousands of kilometers controlled by the “Islamic State” organization in the provinces of Homs and Hama.

And the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights published on Saturday the 12th of August 2017 that it learned that the regime forces managed to go deep into the administrative borders of the northeastern countryside of Homs, coming from the southern countryside of al-Raqqa, where the regime forces go deep into a distance of about 15 km and managed to control the villages of Al-Kadeer, Kharbet Makman and nearby wells near Wahet Al-Koum area which is still controlled by the “Islamic State” organization. The regime forces entered the administrative border of Homs coming from al-Raqqa for the first time since the 14th of July 2017, where they managed to control oil wells and fields in the far northeast of Homs.

This advancement, which was achieved by the regime forces through their attack from their positions at the triangle area of al-Raqqa – Homs – Deir Ezzor administrative border, allowed the regime forces to reduce the remaining distance in the countryside of Homs between their forces advancing from al-Raqqa – Deir Ezzor administrative border area and their  forces stationed in the city of al-Sokhna, which also are trying to achieve significant advancement and control more areas, so that the distance between both forces of the regime is about 35 km, and if the regime forces managed to advance in the area and control this remaining area and their forces managed  to meet each other, the “Islamic State” organization will be besieged in thousands of kilometers extending from this advancement line to the south of Athriya road passing through oil fields and wells, the eastern countryside of Hama to al-Shumaria Mountains area in the northeastern countryside of Homs, and the countryside of Jub al-Jarrah which is about 50 km from the city of Homs, and the clashes and an exchange of shelling caused human losses in the ranks of both parties including a military commander of a group of Tiger Forces led by Brigadier of the regime forces Suhail al-Hassan.

Renewed clashes in al-Raqqa city and an exchange of targeting in north Homs

Homs province – The Syrian Observatory for Humsn Rights:: several shells fired by the factions fell on places in Ain al-Dananir village which is controlled by the regime forces in the northern countryside of Homs, injuring a woman, while the regime forces shelled places in Deir al-Fool village in the northern countryside, and there is no information about human losses. In a related context, The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights published hours ago that it learned that a new meeting was held in the northern countryside of Homs, between the factions and locals on one hand, and representatives of the Russian forces in Hamemiem on the other, as a second round of talks and negotiations in the hope of reaching an agreement that will result the de-escalation in the northern countryside of Homs and the southern countryside of Hama.

It worth mentioning the Egyptian Russian truce implemented in the northern countryside of Homs at noon of the 3rd of August has been collapsed, after one week of its implementation in areas in the northern countryside of Homs, where information is still conflicting about the reasons of the collapse of the Egyptian – Russian truce to “de-escalate the tension and military operations in the northern countryside of Homs”, as some parties accused the regime of non-compliance to the cease-fire agreement in the northern countryside of Homs, while others parties said that the parties of the negotiation said that this agreement does not meet their demands.

The SOHR published at noon the 3rd of August that a new agreement of “easing the tension and military operations in the northern countryside of Homs” to has been applied, this countryside includes the towns of Talbiseh and al-Rastan and the area of al-Houla, as well as other villages and towns in its countryside, with Russian guarantee, and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights obtained a copy of the text of the agreement, which states:

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1. The opposition’s commitment to the ceasefire and joining the cessation of hostilities, and welcomes the establishment of a de-escalation area in Homs countryside area, where the borders of the de-escalation zone in the countryside of Homs will be determined and drawn on the map, which includes the geographical coordinates of the contact lines between the disputing parties, hereinafter called the parties.

2. the opposition commits to cease all types of acts of fighting against the other disputing party, provided that the regime and its allies shall commit to the ceasefire process against the other party, starting at the precise specified hour, specified minute and the date of signature according to Damascus time, the parties guarantee the immediate cessation of the use of air and rocket weapons, artillery and mortars, as well as light weapons from both parties.

3. Starting from the hour of the date of the ceasefire, the real contact line of the disputed parties is fixed on the map, and is not subject to change during the cessation of hostilities period.

4. The opposition commits to the absence of any members of Hayyaat Tahrir Al-Sham organization (Nusra Front formerly) in the areas under its control in the countryside of Homs, and takes all actions to prevent their return or re-emergence there, and confirms its position which refuses ISIS organization in the countryside of Homs and emphasizes the fight against this ideology culturally and militarily.

5. During the activation period of the de-escalation zone, the parties commit after the breach of this agreement, and the opposition-controlled areas shall not be subjected to any airstrike.

6. Any breach by any party, against it shall be applied what came in the violations-documenting mechanisms in this agreement.

7. the opposition agrees about the necessity of taking required procedures to improve the humanitarian situation in the de-escalation zone in the countryside of Homs, and to this end in the first phase, both parties will ensure as a showing for goodwill; the free entry for the relief convoys loaded with the needs of food and medicine to the de-escalation zones in the countryside of Homs, together with providing the required guarantees, start evacuating patients and injuries and transporting them to Russian or Syrian hospitals for treatment as they wish.

(The Russian draft also referred to the introduction of materials for the reconstruction of destroyed infrastructure, in accordance to the request of the opposition, and a list of the materials will be prepared by a detailed record, then the forces that monitor the de-escalation inspect all humanitarian relief convoys before entering the de-escalation zones in the countryside of Homs.

8. Economic and commercial movement shall be facilitated without specifying the quantities and qualities to and from the countryside Rif Dimashq, including the necessary fuel, spare parts and equipment, and the return of all civilian and humanitarian activities and reconstruction to the area.

9. Forming a local councils of the population of this area within 10 days from the date of signing the agreement, entrusted to the administration of citizens ‘ Affairs, and ensure the peaceful daily activities of civilians, and forming the National Council of Justice to peacefully settle differences between people.

10. Where necessary, separate records may be prepared and signed, in order to scrutinize and amend some of the provisions of this agreement.

11. The opposition notes the it accept the Federal Republic of Russia to be as a guarantor for applying this agreement, provided that it forms de-escalation monitor forces, to be placed along the fronts between both parties at agreed points, and Russia acknowledge to care for and ensure the de-escalation and deploying the separating force of observers who work in accordance with rules attached to this agreement, and shall monitor and document the violations in accordance with the annex to the violations-documenting mechanisms annexed to this agreement.

12. Immediately after signing; a mechanism shall be prepared for releasing detainees of interest to both parties.

13. This agreement is considered as an introduction to finding sound environment for carrying out a comprehensive political solution, in accordance with the international resolutions mentioned in the preamble above, and not a substitute for it.

14. This agreement shall enter into force immediately upon signature, since the date on which the representatives of the opposition and the guarantor have signed.

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The SOHR learned that violent battles are ongoing in areas in the outskirts of Ma’dan city which is the last city controlled by ISIS in al-Raqqa province, where ISIS is carrying out repel attacks on the regime forces in the outskirts and the vicinity of Ma’dan in order to stop the advancement of the regime forces, which in turn are trying to reach to Ma’dan and a village in its east, so the regime would end the presence of ISIS in the countryside of al-Raqqa in case of controlling them, and the organization only controls about 45% of the area of al-Raqqa city, and the violent clashes are accompanied aerial shelling by the regime’s warplanes and the Russian warplanes, in addition heavy missile shelling and an exchange of targeting between both parties, which resulted in human losses and injuries in the ranks of both parties.

It worth mentioning that Syrian Observatory for Human Rights published earlier that the Russian warplanes as well as regime’s warplanes targeted areas in the city of Madan and the eastern countryside of Al-Raqqah city, by dozens of air strikes, coincide with raids targeted areas controlled by the “Islamic State” organization in the western countryside of Deir Ezzor adjacent to the eastern countryside of Al-Raqqah, amid the continuation of violent clashes between the regime forces and gunmen loyal to them of Syrian and non-Syrian nationalities on one hand, and the members of the “Islamic State” organization on the other, in areas in the outskirts of Madan city, which is the last city controlled by the “Islamic State” organization in the province of Al-Raqqah, where the outskirts of the city are witnessing since about 24 hours, starting the organization to carry out violent counter attacks, aimed to prevent the regime forces to penetrate into Madan city, the clashes accompanied by shelling, explosions and exchange of targeting in the clash areas between the both parties.

The SOHR published Tuesday that the regime forces were able with the support of their loyal gunmen and the Russian air cover to control villages and residential blocks located west of city, and they have reached the outskirts of Madan city which is considered the last city controlled by the “Islamic State” organization in Al-Raqqah Province, where clashes are taking place between both parties in the outskirts of the city, which is left with a village located to the east under the control of the “Islamic State” organization, and if the regime forces control them then the presence of the “Islamic State” organization in the countryside of Al-Raqqah will be ended, and by that the organization will only be in control of about 45% of Al-Raqqah city only in Al-Raqqah Province.

The continuous airstrikes on Madan city and the villages on the southern banks of the Euphrates River, have caused a massive displacement, where the cities and villages at the southern banks of the Euphrates River are virtually empty of their inhabitants, most of them have displaced to areas controlled by the Syria Democratic Forces in the western countryside of Raqqa and in the northern banks of the Euphrates River, while the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights published on Saturday, the 5th of August, that the regime forces managed to take control of a number of villages and residential complexes located between Ghanim Al-Ali town and Ma’dan city. They are only 4 km away from the walls of Ma’dan city, which is considered the last city under the control of ISIS in Al-Raqqah Province. Such an important advancement came as a result of the intensive violent rocket and artillery shelling by the regime forces and the raids carried out by the Russian and the regime’ warplanes, leaving hundreds of houses, shops, buildings, utilities and infrastructure destroyed.