heavy clashes broke out between the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and ISIS remnants in the eastern countryside of Hama.
According to pro-government sources, army units destroyed a vehicle of the terrorist group near Sad Abu Fayad, east of the city of Salamiyah. At least two fighters of the group were killed as a result.
The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that a Syrian service member was also killed in the clashes. However, this is yet to be verified.
ISIS cells increased their activists in the mountainous regions of eastern Hama over the last year. The terrorists may be moving from the Homs desert, southeast of Hama. The region is known to be the group’s last stronghold in Syria.
Syrian government forces are now conducting a large-scale combing operation around the Homs desert. The operation will likely be developed to include areas in western Deir Ezzor and eastern Hama.