BATTLE FOR PALMYRA HEATS UP AS SYRIAN FORCES PUSH TOWARDS THE WESTERN GATES

BATTLE FOR PALMYRA HEATS UP AS SYRIAN FORCES PUSH TOWARDS THE WESTERN GATES – MAP

On Monday morning in the eastern countryside of the Homs Governorate, the Syrian Arab Army’s “Tiger Forces” – backed by the Desert Hawks Brigade and Liwaa Imam ‘Ali (Iraqi paramilitary) – continued their ground operations in the vicinity of Palmyra (Tadmur), striking several sites under the control of the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS).

The Syrian Armed Forces began their assault in Palmyra’s northern countryside on Monday, where they attempted to advance towards the Brigade 550 headquarters from the Ancient Palmyra Quarries that were recently contested prior to the government’s progress along the Al-Bayarat front. Southwest of Brigade 550, the Tiger Forces attacked ISIS’ first line of defense at Al-Dawah, resulting in a fierce battle that lasted for most of the day.

Despite the lack of progress at Al-Dawah, the Syrian Armed Forces were able to impose full control over Point 853 in Jabal Hayyal after a violent battle with the ISIS terrorists entrenched around these mountains. As of Monday, the Tiger Forces are in control of 80 percent of Jabal Hayyan, which is located in Palmyra’s southwestern countryside.

There is approximately 3 km that separates the Syrian Armed Forces from the strategic Qatari Royal Villa; this important site is used by ISIS as a training camp for their new recruits.

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