Central Syria campaign

The Central Syria campaign, known as "Operation Khuzam", or "Lavender",[48] was a large-scale military operation of the Syrian Army (SAA) against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) during the Syrian Civil War. Its goal was to capture the strategic oil town of Al-Sukhnah, and besiege and capture 11,000 square kilometers of ISIL territory in central Syria,[49][50] after which the Syrian Army would advance towards Deir ez-Zor,[51] and lift the three-year ISIL siege of the government's enclave in the city.[52][53] Afterwards, the Syrian Army advanced towards the Islamic State's then-capital of Mayadin.[54]

For the previous offensives, see Eastern Homs offensive (2017), Syrian Desert campaign (May–July 2017), Maskanah Plains offensive, and Southern Raqqa offensive (June 2017).

Central Syria campaign
Part of the Battle of Deir ez-Zor and the
Russian military intervention in the Syrian civil war

Situation in central Syria, showing advancements of the Syrian Army
Date14 July – 21 October 2017
(3 months and 1 week)
Location
Central Syria
Result

Decisive Syrian Army & allies victory

  • Syrian Government forces capture 17,000 square kilometers of territory,[1] including Al-Sukhnah
  • Syrian Government forces cleared two separate pockets of ISIL forces in Central Syria and Eastern Hama
  • Syrian Government forces lifted the siege of the western part of Deir ez-Zor city[2][3] and Deir ez-Zor Airport[4]
  • Syrian Government's control of Syria increases to around 50% by the end of the offensive
Belligerents

Syrian Arab Republic

Russia[5]
Iran[6]
Allied militias:
Hezbollah[7]
PMF-affiliated militias
Syrian Resistance
Liwa Fatemiyoun[8]
Al-Quds Brigade[9]
State of Palestine Galilee Forces[10]
Brigades of the Den[11]

Islamic State Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant

Commanders and leaders
Maj. Gen. Suheil al-Hassan[7]
(Operations chief commander)
Syria Maj. Gen. Issam Zahreddine
(Republican Guard commander)
Brig. Gen. Mohamed Khaddour[12]
(commander of eastern Syria)
Gen. Ghassan Iskendar Taraf (WIA)[13]
(Al-Qassem commander)
Ahmed Salman Salloum †[14]
(Tiger Forces senior commander)
Wael Zaidan †[15]
(Tiger Forces commander)
Nawaf Al-Bashir[16]
(Al-Baggara Sheikh)
Omar Al-Hassan[16]
(al-Baqir Brigade commander)
Maj. Gen. Mustafa Khosh Mohammadi †[6]
(IRGC commander)
Col. Morteza Hosseinpour-Shalmani †[17]
(Iranian-led Iraqi contingent operations commander)
Gen. Abdullah Khosrawi †[18]
(Commander of Fatahin battalion)
Ali al-Aa'shiq †[19]
(Radwan Force commander)
Anwar Yawri †[8]
(Liwa Fatemiyoun commander)
Turki Albu Hamad[20]
(Forces of the Fighters of the Tribes chief commander)
State of Palestine Fadi al-Mellah[10]
(Galilee Forces commander)		 Islamic State Gulmurod Khalimov[21]
(ISIL war minister, reported killed by Russia)
Islamic State Abu Muhammad al-Shimali[21]
(Deir ez-Zor emir, reported killed by Russia)
Islamic State Abu Khuzaymah al-Tunisi Surrendered[22]
(Hisbah police chief)
Islamic State Abu Saraqah Al-Trablosi †[23]
(ISIL top commander of Hama Governate)
Units involved

Syrian Armed Forces

Russian forces

Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Hezbollah

  • Lebanese units[36]
  • Syrian units

Syrian Resistance

  • Falcons of the Jazira and Euphrates[20]

PMF-affiliated militias

Islamic State Military of ISIL

  • Wilayat Hama
  • Wilayat Homs
  • Wilayat Raqqa
  • Wilayat Deir ez-Zor
  • Hisbah police
Strength
50,000 (pro-government claim)[37] Several thousand fighters
Casualties and losses
SyriaIran 912 killed[38] (10 IRGC, 36 Hezbollah killed)[39][40]
Russia 17 killed (15 PMCs)[41][42]		 1,394 killed[43]
190 civilians killed[44][45][46][47]

The campaign was concurrent with the Raqqa campaign conducted by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) against the Islamic State's former capital city and stronghold in Syria, Raqqa. In addition, the SDF launched their own offensive in mid-September south along the Euphrates River, after Syrian government forces reached Deir ez-Zor city.

The campaign

Syrian Army push into southern of the Raqqa Governorate

On 14 July 2017, the Syrian Army launched an offensive in the south of Raqqa province, advancing south of the town of Resafa[55] and coming within 70 kilometers of Sukhnah[49] after reaching the administrative border of Homs province.[50] Between 15 and 16 July, a string of oil wells and gas fields was captured by the military.[56][50] By 18 July, government forces pushed ISIL out of the western and southwestern parts of Raqqa province,[57] while also reaching the outskirts of the Bishri Mountains, an ISIL stronghold.[58]

With the start of the Syrian Government's push, the Russian Air Force launched a large-scale aerial campaign against ISIL in Raqqa and Homs provinces.[56][50] An ISIL command-and-control center in Deir ez-Zor, targets along the Homs-Deir ez-Zor highway and positions near Sukhnah were reportedly hit.[5]

Meanwhile, on 16 July, ISIL repelled an assault by the Syrian Army on the Hamimah area on the provincial border of Homs and Deir ez-Zor, killing a dozen soldiers and injuring or capturing 28 more. The captured soldiers were later reportedly decapitated.[59] ISIL captured a tank and ammunition.[60] Three days later, an ISIL raid on the administrative border overran an Army encampment before withdrawing.[61] Concurrently, heavy fighting also erupted in Hama province. By 19 July, these clashes left 40 pro-government fighters, including two brigadier generals, and 29 militants dead.[62]

On 21 July, the Syrian Army advanced between 30 and 35 kilometers east of Resafa.[31] Four days later, major advances by government forces in the southeast of Raqqa reduced ISIL's control of the province to 10 percent. At this point, the Army was nine kilometers from the administrative border of Deir ez-Zor province.[7] The Army was also making gains along the western bank of the Euphrates river.[63] By the end of the day, they were six kilometers from the town of Maadan, located on the southern bank of the river, and the Deir ez-Zor provincial border.[64]

Syrian Army advance along the Euphrates and capture of Sukhnah

Meanwhile, on 23 July, the Syrian Army's 5th Corps in the eastern part of Homs province launched an operation towards Sukhnah[26] and the next day reportedly broke through ISIL's defense line before the town.[65] On 25 July, massive Army reinforcements were arriving east of Palmyra for the upcoming assault on Sukhnah, following the implementation of a Russia/US-brokered ceasefire with the rebel FSA in the southwestern Badia region, where government forces had been conducting a two-month campaign.[66] At the same time, Syrian Army troops advanced west of the Shaer gas field in the eastern countryside of Homs.[67]

Elsewhere, on 25 July, the Syrian Army, backed up by Palestinian Al-Quds Brigade and local fighters, resumed their assault on the ISIL-held town of Qualib al-Thor in the eastern countryside of Hama Province.[9] In the days before the resumption of Army operations in eastern Hama, the Russian Air Force conducted multiple strikes against ISIL.[68][69]

On 26 July, ISIL conducted a counterattack against Syrian Army troops[70] in an attempt to maintain its foothold in Raqqa province and defend Maadan.[71] In the evening of that day, the Syrian Army captured the last hills eight kilometers southwest of Sukhnah, imposing fire control over the town.[72][73] Several hours later, the Syrian Army started its attack on Sukhnah, quickly reaching its outskirts after a seven-kilometer advance and entering it from the west and south, according to military sources.[74] According to the pro-opposition activist group the SOHR, government forces were still five kilometers from the town.[73]

On 27 July, Syrian Army troops advanced to within four kilometers of Maadan, crossing the provincial boundary between Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor for the first time from the west.[75]

Two days later, ISIL militants conducted an early-dawn raid against Syrian Army positions in the western countryside of Raqqa, forcing the Army to retreat. Soon after, Syrian Army troops regrouped and launched a counter-attack, pushing back the ISIL militants who withdrew with captured weapons and ammunition.[76] Meanwhile, the Syrian Army entered the southwestern part of Sukhnah, while ISIL fighters started withdrawing from the town.[77] Concurrently, the Syrian Army's Tiger Forces special unit redeployed from Raqqa province to eastern Hama for the upcoming offensive east of the town of Salamiyah.[78] The same day, a large artillery bombardment of ISIL positions was conducted by Syrian Army and allied troops in the eastern Hama countryside in addition to airstrikes.[79][80][81]

Late on 29 July, ISIL conducted a counterattack against the Syrian Army near the towns of Ghan Al-‘Ali and Shinan, pushing them back and cutting off their supply line to Ghan Al-‘Ali, as well as trapping a number of soldiers.[32] 43 soldiers were killed and 65 wounded during the ISIL assault which included more than 10 suicide-bombers.[82] The following day, the Syrian Army and tribal fighters regrouped and conducted a successful counter-attack, freeing the troops that were cut off. They then proceeded to advance into Ghan Al-‘Ali,[32] eventually capturing the town, as well as several villages to the west of it.[83] Syrian journalist Khaled Al-Khatib, who was working for the Russia Today television network, was killed when his vehicle was struck by an ISIL anti-tank missile in eastern Homs.[84] By 31 July, Syrian Army forces advanced deep into the desert, coming within 40 kilometers of Deir ez-Zor city.[85]

On 2 August, it was reported that the Syrian Army was only 700 meters from Sukhnah.[86] The next day, after fierce street clashes, they had taken control of 20% of the town.[87] Two days later, on 5 August, the Syrian Army took complete control of Sukhnah.[88] A surprise ISIL raid near al-Tanf on 7 August led to the capture and subsequent execution of Mohsen Hojaji, an IRGC advisor. An image taken of Hojaji's last moments became iconic in Iran, and he became widely regarded as a nationally acclaimed "martyr" in the war against ISIL.[89]

ISIL collapse and siege in Hama and Homs

On 9 August, as the Syrian Army advanced within four kilometers of Maadan in Raqqa province,[90] ISIL conducted a large-scale assault in the east of Homs province near the strategic T-2 Pumping Station. Militants attacked Army positions in the Humaymah area, resulting in several hours of fierce fighting. The attack was eventually repelled, with the Army claiming more than 80 ISIL militants were killed, while they themselves lost 22 soldiers.[91] In contrast, the SOHR reported the deaths of 32 Syrian Army soldiers and at least 35 ISIL militants.[92] The ISIL attack took place on a 125 kilometer front.[93]

Following a night-time operation late on 11 August, Syrian Army paratroopers, who landed behind ISIL's lines, captured two towns and 12 kilometers of desert in the southeast of Raqqa province.[94][95] 25 ISIL militants and six Army commandos were killed during the operation.[96]

Meanwhile, the Syrian government's Qalamoun Shield Forces, alongside the 5th Legion, also made a push towards ISIL's stronghold of Uqayribat in the eastern countryside of Hama, capturing several positions east of the village of Salba.[97]

On 16 August, the Syrian Army made a push north of Al-Shaer mountains, overrunning ISIL positions in almost half a dozen areas, as other units progressed southwards from Ithriya and captured several hilltops.[98] The next day, the Syrian Army's Tiger Forces suspended an offensive in the southeast of Raqqa Governorate in order to focus their efforts on the eastern Hama and Homs countrysides.[99] This effort resulted in a myriad of military units storming arid, mountainous and sparsely inhabited, but oil and gas-rich ISIL-held areas in Central Syria from multiple directions, and the capture of more than half a dozen locations, including several of the oil and gas fields.[100][101] During the same day, the 800th Regiment of the Republican Guard advanced 15 km north of Al-Sukhnah, capturing a checkpoint.[102] ISIL fighters were left completely encircled between 50 and 100 villages in eastern Hama and Homs governorates on 18 August, as one group of Syrian Army troops advanced north of Al-Shaer mountains eventually linking up with recently redeployed Tiger Forces which pushed southwards from Ithriya. A smaller ISIL enclave formed south of the Ithriya-Zakia highway.[103][104]

Elsewhere, Syrian Army forces captured southern and central parts of Humaymah village in the eastern Homs Province, after securing several hilltops near it the previous day.[105] The village was completely secured on 21 August; however, ISIL launched a counter-attack on it hours later.[106]

Between 23 and 24 August,[107] the Army made advances northwest and west of Al-Sukhnah,[108] with forces advancing north of the town and those advancing from Raqqa linking up and thus besieging a second large ISIL pocket in central Syria.[109][110] Two days later, the pocket was cleared with the Army capturing an area of 2,000 square kilometers (772 square miles) between Sukhnah and Sha'er to the west.[111]

ISIL counterattacks

During the evening of 23 August, ISIL forces in the western pocket attacked the Ithriyah-Salamiyah road in order to cut the Syrian government's main supply line to Aleppo, capturing two checkpoints south of the road (one of which was subsequently retaken by the Syrian Army and the National Defence Forces). At the same time, the rebel group Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham alongside Free Syrian Army shelled the supply line from the north; according to al-Masdar News, the ISIL attack was coordinated with the rebel groups.[112][113] The next day, ISIL forces launched a large-scale operation west of Maadan alongside the western bank of the Euphrates, capturing seven villages from the Syrian Army and allied tribal fighters.[114] Overall, government forces were pushed back 30 kilometers from the western outskirts of Maadan.[115][116]

On 25 August, the Syrian Army stalled the ISIL assault against the Aleppo supply line and launched a counterattack, capturing three villages and putting themselves nine kilometers away from the ISIL stronghold at Uqayribat.[117] The next day, the Tiger Forces troops also recaptured territory west of Maadan,[118] but ISIL once again recaptured those same villages on 29 August.[119]

Breaking of the siege of Deir ez-Zor city

On 27 August, the Syrian Army launched a major offensive along the Sukhna-Deir ez-Zor highway, advancing to positions 66 kilometers from Deir ez-Zor city by 29 August.[120] On 31 August, the Syrian Army's Tiger Forces established full control over the strategic mountain of Bishiri, west of Deir ez-Zor. The offensive was accompanied by heavy Russian airstrikes on ISIL positions.[121][122] They also captured the town of Haribshah. At this point, Syrian Army troops were 50 kilometers from Deir ez-Zor.[123] By 2 September, the Syrian Army's Tiger Forces and 5th Corps alongside the Iran-backed Afghan Shia militia Liwa Fatemiyoun advanced from mount Bishiri towards Tal Al-Abd, Jabal Nazerat, Jabal Nairaman, and Jabal Admah, resulting in the capture of those hilltops and placing the Syrian Army within 25 km (16 mi) of lifting the siege imposed by ISIL for years on Deir ez-Zor city and within 16 km of village of al-Shulah, located southwest of the city.[124][125] The next day, the Tiger Forces progressed further eastwards, coming within 18 km of Deir ez-Zor, capturing some minor hills in the desert and later in the day advancing towards al-Shulah and imposing fire control over the village from the north by securing Mount Neerman.[126]

By 4 September, Syrian Army troops were within three kilometers of Deir ez-Zor, as ISIL sent reinforcements from Mayadin.[127] The 5th Corps alongside the 18th Reserve Division captured the town of Kabajib during midday and later in the day captured the town of al-Shulah alongside the Tiger Forces.[128][129]

The siege of the city was broken on 5 September 2017, at around 2 P.M. local time, when Syrian Army troops met the 137th Brigade on the western outskirts of the city.[130][131]

A second phase of Deir ez-Zor operation began on 5 September, with the Tiger Forces and the 17th Division troops pushing southwards from 137th Brigade Base towards Ayyash Storage.[132] The stated goal of this offensive was to eventually capture the Thardeh Mountains (which had been captured by ISIL fighters after CJTF-OIR forces launched a prolonged assault upon then-besieged Syrian Army soldiers in September 2016) and thus lift the siege of the airport imposed by ISIL since then.[133] Two days later, the Syrian Army reported they had captured a gas factory and the 'Raqqa Bridge' near 137th Brigade Base, thus closing in on Ayyash Storage area as well as few hilltops near Tal Sannouf which resulted in securing the supply route to western Deir ez-Zor.[134] Al-Qassem Republican Guard soldiers reported they had captured the hilltop of Talat Alloush within the perimeter of Deir ez-Zor cemetery after intense clashes with ISIL fighters on 8 September.[135]

On 9 September, SANA reported that the Syrian Army had broken the siege of the airport and the city′s districts of Hrabesh and Tahtouh.[136][137] Russia’s Defense Ministry said the lifting of the siege in the evening of 9 September had followed ″a massive air strike by the Russian Aerospace Forces″.[136]

Syrian Army clears northwest Deir ez-Zor and southeast Raqqa
Main article: Battle of Deir ez-Zor (September–November 2017)

The Syrian Army launched an assault during the morning hours of 14 September[138][139][140][141] After this, the Syrian Army was able to capture Maria'yah and secured its surroundings. After two days, the Syrian Army captured Ayyash and its nearby hill, reversing ISIL gains made during a previous offensive in 2016.[142] The town of Jafrah, south of Deir ez-Zor was captured by the Syrian Army after days of clashes.[143][144] Half a dozen towns were also captured the same day in the opposite direction from Deir ez-Zor, albeit with less fierce resistance from ISIL.[145]

By 23 September, Syrian Government forces advancing northwest of Deir ez-Zor linked up with troops in southeast Raqqa[146] and managed to capture Maadan,[147][148] Overall, between 14 and 23 September, the military cleared between 1,300 and 1,700 square kilometers of territory, including 35 towns and villages,[138][149] and secured the western bank of the Euphrates River in the northwestern countryside of Deir ez-Zor.[150]

Collapse of the ISIL pocket in central Syria

On 28 August, the Syrian Army continued its operations in central Syria, targeting ISIL's last positions in the western countryside of Jabal Al-Sha’er and captured several areas.[151] The Syrian Army and its allies resumed their operations in the southeastern countryside of Hama on 29 August, attacking ISIL's positions from two different axes. The pro-government forces of Qalamoun Shield stormed the group's positions east of Salamiyah, resulting in capture of al-Taybah. Following this, the Syrian Army advanced to southeast of Salamiyah and captured several hilltops in Abu Hakfeh area.[152] By 31 August, they captured six settlements including 3 both to northeast and southeast of Uqayribat.[153] They also captured the key al-Wahabiyah village in central Homs.[154]

By 31 August, the Syrian Army and its allies had come within striking distance of Uqayribat.[155] SOHR stated that Syrian Army captured Uqayribat on 1 September but ISIL regained control of most of the town after a counter-attack on the next day. The ISIL militants were however pushed out of the town again on the morning of 3 September with the help of artillery and airstrikes. SOHR stated that over 120 ISIL fighters and 35 pro-government fighters had died in 24 hours of clashes.[156] Meanwhile, the Syrian Army also killed Abu Saraqah Al-Trablosi, a high-ranking Lebanese commander of ISIL.[23] It also captured Mu’adamiyah and Al-Khafiyah in the eastern countryside of Uqayribat.[157]

By 4 September, the Syrian Army captured the main ISIL base in the region near the town of Tahmaz in the east of Hama, while also securing two other towns west of Uqayribat.[158] On 6 September, government forces captured half a dozen more villages.[159][160] Villages of Zaghroutiyah, Drawayshiyah, Lawaybdah, Ghaniman, and Umm Sajj within eastern Homs governorate were captured on 13 September by Syrian Army alongside National Defense Forces and Hezbollah.[161]

Later in September, the Thermal Power Plant was captured by Qalamoun Shield forces of 3rd Division, just 1 km away from village of Qulib al-Thor.[162] The village itself was captured on 14 September.[163] The next day ISIL forces launched an offensive in Jubb al-Jarrah district, overrunning Syrian Army positions and capturing the village of Abu Al-Tababir.[164] On 16 September, rebels of Faylaq al-Majd stormed Syrian Army positions in northern Hama governorate, but failed to make any gains.[165] During the same day Qalamoun Shield soldiers together with the National Defence Forces and Syrian Social Nationalist Party's armed wing took hold of hilltop Tal Al-Noba, along with the settlements of Al-Khalaya, Al-Mashrafah, and Khaled Hilal, later in the day entering the village of Abu Hanaya, resulting in capture of three quarters of it.[166] 5th Legion soldiers captured the villages of Al-Mazbel and Masadeh, located within eastern Homs Governorate, on 21 September.[167] On 22 September, the town of Mushayrifah Al-Shamaliyah was captured by the Syrian Army after a short firefight.[168] All combat activities in eastern Hama and Homs governorates have concluded on 6 October resulting in Army's capture of remaining 1,800 km2 and erasing the pocket.[169]

ISIL counteroffensive

On 28 September, ISIL launched its own counteroffensive,[170] capturing the city of al-Qaryatayn in the Homs desert by 1 October.[171][172] Fighting in the region left 569 killed between 28 September and 12 October, including 271 pro-government troops and 298 ISIL fighters.[173] The Syrian Army recaptured al-Qaryatayn on 21 October.[174][175] Bodies of 67 Syrian civilians who were summarily killed by ISIL, were found after Syrian forces captured the town. Some were shot as the militants retreated because they were suspected of collaborating with the government, per activists. A senior official said search and documentation of those killed was still underway and the toll was likely to climb. SOHR said 128 people were killed, including 12 by pro-government forces.[176]

Aftermath: advance on Al-Mayadin
Main article: Eastern Syria campaign (September–December 2017)

Government forces steadily advanced in Deir ez-Zor governorate in the beginning of October, putting them within 6 km from ISIL's stronghold of Al-Mayadin.[177] Syrian soldiers pushed into the city on 6 October.[178] On 13 October, Government forces reached the Euphrates on the Eastern side of the Mayadin, besieging the town.[179] On 14 October, the city was captured by the Syrian Army.[180]

References
  1. "About 1250 casualties including tens of suicide bombers and officers during 52 days of the escalation of the military operation by regime forces in the Syrian Desert within 4 provinces". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  2. "After 32 months of siege… the regime forces meet with their besieged members in Deir Ezzor city and achieve the first step in breaking the city's siege". SOHR. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  3. "Breaking: Syrian Army lifts the siege on Deir Ezzor". Al-Masdar News. 5 September 2017. Archived from the original on 5 September 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  4. Breaking: Syrian Army lifts 9 month long siege on Deir Ezzor Airport Archived 26 November 2020 at the Wayback Machine, Al-Masdar News
  5. "Russian Air Force resumes wide-scale campaign against ISIL in east Syria". Al-Masdar News. 15 July 2017. Archived from the original on 5 November 2018. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  6. "The death of an (IRGC) Major General in Syria". Al-Dorar Al-Shamia. 13 August 2017. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
  7. "Big advancement for the regime forces southeast of Al-Raqqah draws areas of influence and reduces the percentage of control the ISIS to 10% of the province". SOHR. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  8. "Including a Commander, new dead of Fatimioun militia in Syria". Al-Dorar Al-Shamia. 27 July 2017. Archived from the original on 1 August 2017. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
  9. "Syrian Army foils ISIS attack in east Hama, resumes advance". Al-Masdar News. 25 July 2017. Archived from the original on 6 November 2018. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  10. "Pro-regime Palestinian militia mourns 14 members killed by ISIS". Zaman al-Wasl. 31 August 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  11. "سرايا العرين". facebook.com. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  12. Lyse Doucet (25 August 2017). "Syria war: Meeting Syria's generals in the desert". BBC. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  13. https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-commander-barely-survives-attack-deir-ezzor/ Archived 28 December 2019 at the Wayback Machine Al-Masdar
  14. Talal Kharrat (10 September 2017). "Hours After DM Visit … ISIS Kill A Regime Commander Near Deir Ezzor". Qasioun News. Archived from the original on 10 September 2017. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  15. ""Al-Nemer" Suhail Hassan loses three Prominent commanders". Al-Dorar Al-Shamia. 14 July 2017. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
  16. Talal Kharrat (13 September 2017). "Nawaf Al-Bashir Enters Deir Ezzor Accompanied By Liwa Al-Baqir Militias". Qasioun News. Archived from the original on 13 September 2017. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
  17. Amir Toumaj (21 September 2017). "Iran highlights Qods Force commander killed by the Islamic State". Long War Journal. Retrieved 29 September 2017.
  18. "IRGC senior commander killed in Syria". 15 October 2017. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  19. "Hezbollah mourns 26 fighters, including elite commander". Zaman al-Wasl. 2 October 2017. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
  20. Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi (10 August 2017). "Suqur al-Furat: A Pro-Assad Sha'itat Tribal Militia". Retrieved 28 August 2017.
  21. "IS 'minister of war' killed in Syria air attack, claims Russia". Middle East Eye. 8 September 2017. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  22. Rami Zien (12 September 2017). "Leader in ISIS Hands Himself Over to the Regime as he Turns Out to be Former Intelligence Officer". Qasioun News. Archived from the original on 12 September 2017. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
  23. "Syrian Army kills high ranking Lebanese commander of ISIL in east Hama". Al-Masdar News. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
  24. Leith Fadel (29 July 2017). "Large number of Syrian Army reinforcements head to central Syria". Al-Masdar News. Archived from the original on 28 March 2019. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
  25. Rami Zien (10 September 2017). "Eastern Hama ISIS Pocket Shrinking Under Regime Fire". Qasioun News. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  26. "Pro-Syria forces close in on strategic town in east Homs amid heavy ISIS losses". Al-Masdar News. 23 July 2017. Archived from the original on 5 November 2018. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  27. Zen Adra (12 September 2017). "Video: Syrian Army blows up two ISIS VBIEDs outside Deir Ezzor Airbase". al-Masdar News. Archived from the original on 12 September 2017. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
  28. "Breaking: Syrian Army makes a huge advance in central Syria". Al-Masdar News. 17 August 2017. Archived from the original on 12 November 2018. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
  29. Leith Fadel (26 July 2017). "Elite Republican Guard unit deploys to Sukhnah for big battle with ISIL". Al-Masdar News. Archived from the original on 28 March 2019. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
  30. Tomson, Chris (10 May 2017). "Syrian Army, Palestinian militia dislodge ISIS from strategic town in east Aleppo". Al-Masdar. Archived from the original on 26 September 2018. Retrieved 11 May 2017.
  31. "Breaking: Syrian Army advances 30 kilometers through ISIS-held eastern Raqqa". Al-Masdar News. 21 July 2017. Archived from the original on 22 October 2018. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  32. "Syrian Army suffers its heaviest losses in latest push to Deir Ezzor". Al-Masdar News. 30 July 2017. Archived from the original on 16 June 2018. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  33. Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi (2 April 2017). "Quwat Muqatili al-Asha'ir: Tribal Auxiliary Forces of the Military Intelligence". Retrieved 31 August 2017.
  34. Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi (10 August 2017). "Suqur al-Furat: A Pro-Assad Sha'itat Tribal Militia". Retrieved 31 August 2017.
  35. Kjetil Stormark (11 May 2018). "Nordmenn kjempet på russisk side i Syria" [Norwegians fought in Syria on the Russian side]. AldriMer.no (in Norwegian). Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  36. "9 Militants and an Officer of the Syrian regime and Hezbollah militia were killed in rural Homs". Al-Dorar al-Shamia. 10 August 2017. Archived from the original on 8 September 2017. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
  37. Republican Guard reinforcements arrive in Palmyra to aid Deir Ezzor liberation offensive Archived 5 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine, Al-Masdar News
  38. 436 killed (17 July–8 Sep.), 28 killed (in Deir ez-Zor; 9–10 Sep.), 129 killed (in Hama & Homs; 9 Sep.–6 Oct.), 281 killed (in Deir ez-Zor counterattack; 28 Sep.–12 Oct.), 33 killed (in al-Hamima attacks; 17–20 Oct.), 5 killed (Qaryatain; 20 Oct.), total of 912 reported killed
  39. "IRGC loses 10 servicemen in the Syrian desert within a week". Al-Dorar Al-Shamia. 8 September 2017. Archived from the original on 24 September 2017. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  40. "More casualties in the ranks of Hezbollah raise its death toll to 36 in 5 days of clashes in the desert battles". SOHR. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  41. "Two Russian soldiers killed by shelling in Syria's Deir al-Zor province: Ifax". Reuters. 4 September 2017.
  42. "Another Russian soldier killed in Syria". UAWire. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  43. 812 killed (17 July–8 Sep.), 102 killed (in Deir ez-Zor; 9–10 Sep.), 182 killed (in Hama & Homs; 9 Sep.–6 Oct.), 298 killed (in Deir ez-Zor counterattack; 28 Sep.–12 Oct.), total of 1,394 reported killed
  44. "ISIS carried out its most violent attack since being besieged east of Hama along with booby-traps bombings and a simultaneous attack by Hayyaat Tahrir al-Sham on the same area". Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  45. "Backed by the Russian land and air forces and following the fall of 160 dead … the regime forces proves in full control of the last stronghold of ISIS in Hama". SOHR. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  46. "The regime forces are getting closer to Deir Ezzor military base and 8 car bombs try to stop them from advancing to the besieged Brigade 137". SOHR. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  47. "About 150 casualties and wounded by intensive air strikes and massacres in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor". SOHR.
  48. EDT, Tom O'Connor On 10/18/17 at 2:00 PM (18 October 2017). "One of Assad's closest generals is killed outside the Syrian city he helped free from ISIS". Newsweek. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
  49. "The regime forces are about 70 km away of besieging the "Islamic State" in more than 11000 square km within the provinces of al-Raqqa, Homs, and Hama". Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  50. "To besiege an area larger than Lebanon's area… eastern countryside of Hama and al-Sukhnah Desert witness intensified raids by Russian warplanes as well as regime's warplanes". Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  51. "U.S.-backed forces, Syrian army advance separately on IS in Deir al-Zor". Reuters. 8 September 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  52. "Syrian forces 'break ISIL siege' in Deir Az Zor". Al-Jazeerah. 5 September 2017.
  53. McKernan, Bethan (5 September 2017). "Syrian army breaks Isis' three-year-long siege of Deir Ezzor". Independent. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  54. Syrian army nears Islamic State stronghold al-Mayadin, Independent, 6 October 2017
  55. "Tiger Forces scythe through ISIS lines in Raqqa en-route to Sukhnah - Map update". Al-Masdar News. 14 July 2017. Archived from the original on 6 November 2018. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  56. "Syrian army takes more oil fields from Islamic State in Raqqa and eastern desert". Reuters. 15 July 2017. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  57. "New advancement by the regime forces ends the presence of the "Islamic State" organization in the western and southwestern countryside of Al-Raqqa and their members start sweeping operations". Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  58. "The regime forces advance in the countryside of Al-Raqqah and reach the outskirts of the strategic stronghold of the "Islamic State" organization in Syria which extends into 3 provinces". SOHR. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  59. "Syrian Army suffers heavy casualties in failed offensive near Deir Ezzor border". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 17 July 2017. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
  60. "In pictures: ISIS hits jackpot after capturing spoils of war from Syrian troops near Deir Ezzor". Al-Masdar News. 17 July 2017. Archived from the original on 6 November 2018. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  61. "In pictures: ISIS overwhelms Syrian Army's defensive line on the southern border with Iraq". Al-Masdar News. 20 July 2017. Archived from the original on 6 November 2018. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  62. "About 70 members of the regime forces, militiamen loyal to them and the "Islamic State" organization have been killed in 48 hours of battles in the Syrian Desert". SOHR. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  63. "Syrian Army recaptures more villages en route to Deir Ezzor". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 25 July 2017. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
  64. "ISIS constantly collapses in Al-Raqqah province and regime forces continuously advance towards Madan and the administrative border of Deir Ezzor province". SOHR. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  65. "Breaking: ISIS defenses before Sukhnah ripped open by Syrian Army, liberation in sight". Al-Masdar News. 24 July 2017. Archived from the original on 5 November 2018. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  66. "Massive pro-government reinforcements arrive in eastern Homs for upcoming offensive". Al-Masdar News. 25 July 2017. Archived from the original on 21 October 2018. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  67. "The regime forces achieve an advancement in hills in the eastern countryside of Homs". SOHR. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  68. "Russian Air Force knocks out ISIL HQ in east Hama: video". Al-Masdar News. 20 July 2017. Archived from the original on 5 November 2018. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  69. "Russian Air Force destroys ISIL operations base in east Hama". Al-Masdar News. 23 July 2017. Archived from the original on 6 November 2018. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  70. "ISIS carries out counter attacks to stop the advancement of the regime into its main stronghold in Al-Raqqah". SOHR. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  71. "ISIS spares no effort to maintain its presence in Al-Raqqah Province and to repel the violent attack on its last stronghold there". SOHR. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  72. "Breaking: Syrian Army completely dominates ISIS-held town of al-Sukhnah with fire control". Al-Masdar News. 26 July 2017. Archived from the original on 6 November 2018. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  73. "Eyeing Deir al-Zor, Syrian army advances on Islamic State town - The Express Tribune". Tribune Pakistan. 27 July 2017. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  74. "Breaking: Syrian Army troops storm al-Sukhnah town in eastern Homs, liberation imminent". Al-Masdar News. 27 July 2017. Archived from the original on 5 November 2018. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  75. Editorial, Reuters. "Syrian army advances east of Raqqa into Deir al-Zor province - monitors". Reuters. Retrieved 8 August 2017. {{cite news}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  76. "In pictures: ISIS launches sudden shock attack against army forces in western Raqqa". Al-Masdar News. 29 July 2017. Archived from the original on 5 November 2018. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  77. "Assad troops enter ISIL-held town of al-Sukhna in Homs". Al Jazeera. 29 July 2017. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
  78. "Exclusive: Tiger Forces deploy to east Hama for next big battle". Al-Masdar News. 29 July 2017. Archived from the original on 6 November 2018. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  79. "Huge artillery bombardment laid down on ISIS by pro-Syria forces in eastern Hama: video". Al-Masdar News. 29 July 2017. Archived from the original on 5 November 2018. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  80. "Scores of ISIS militants, vehicles burned by Syrian airpower in eastern Hama as army advances". Al-Masdar News. 29 July 2017. Archived from the original on 5 November 2018. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  81. "Intensive artillery and aerial strikes hit ISIS-controlled areas in the eastern countryside of Hama". SOHR. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  82. "A statistical breakdown of army losses in recent southern Raqqa fighting with ISIS". Al-Masdar News. 31 July 2017. Archived from the original on 6 November 2018. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  83. "The regime forces and the Russia-armed clan forces control a town and several villages at the southern banks of Euphrates in the eastern countryside of Al-Raqqah". Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  84. "Heroic Syrian journalist killed while reporting near ISIL front-lines". Al-Masdar News. 30 July 2017. Archived from the original on 5 November 2018. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  85. "In their quest to turnaround [sic] the strategic mountain of al-Bashri… the regime forces go deep in the western Deir Ezzor desert and reduce the distance between them and the besieged city of Deir Ezzor to about 40 km". 31 July 2017. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  86. "Battle for Al-Sukhnah resumes as Syrian Army troops storm ISIL's stronghold". almasdarnews.com. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  87. "Regime forces "humanly" control about 20% of al-Sukhnah city 5 days after controlling the city by firearm". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 3 August 2017. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  88. "Syrian army takes ISIL-held town of al-Sukhna in Homs". aljazeera.com. Al Jazeera.
  89. Associated Press (27 September 2017). "Iranian Soldier Beheaded by IS in Syria Mourned as an Icon". Voice of America. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
  90. "The Russian warplanes and the regime forces escalate their targeting of Ma'dan and violent clashes to control the last ISIS-controlled city in Al-Raqqah". SOHR. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
  91. "ISIL's east Homs offensive ends in complete disaster, 80+ terrorists killed". Al-Masdar News. 9 August 2017. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
  92. "The regime forces and the "Islamic State" organization are still clashing in a front of 50 km to 300 km away from Homs city for the third day in a row". SOHR. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
  93. "Within 24 hours of attacks in Homs… the "Islamic State" organization kills at least 48 members of the regime forces and militiamen loyal to them". SOHR. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
  94. "Syrian paratroopers land behind ISIL's lines to liberate 20km of territory near Raqqa". Al-Masdar News. 12 August 2017. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
  95. "After one month of entering Homs province coming from al-Raqqa… The regime forces go deep into the province through ground advancement and airdrop to an area of 15 km inside the northeastern administrative borders of Homs". SOHR. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
  96. "Commandos kill 25 jihadists in central Syria: monitor". AFP. 13 August 2017.
  97. "Syrian Army keeps rolling towards ISIL's last stronghold in east Hama". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 14 August 2017. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  98. "Breaking: Syrian Army steamrolls through ISIL's heartland, 25km liberated". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 16 August 2017. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
  99. "Syrian Army halts southeast Raqqa offensive, central Syria new focus". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 17 August 2017. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
  100. "Breaking: Syrian Army makes a huge advance in central Syria". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 17 August 2017. Archived from the original on 12 November 2018. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
  101. "Breaking: ISIL's on the verge of encirclement in central Syria". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 17 August 2017. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
  102. "Elite Syrian Army unit liberates new areas north of Sukhnah, city official secured". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 17 August 2017. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
  103. "ISIS' days numbered in central Homs as Syrian Army cuts off massive pocket". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 18 August 2017. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 19 August 2017.
  104. "Within the great operation of encirclement… the regime forces carry out the first encirclement operation against the "Islamic State" organization in an area of 3 thousand square kilometers in Homs and Hama". SOHR. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  105. "ISIL in serious trouble as Syrian military pushes towards strategic base near Deir Ezzor border". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 19 August 2017. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 19 August 2017.
  106. "ISIS launches heavy counterattack on strategic town in east Homs". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 21 August 2017. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 21 August 2017.
  107. "Syrian army encircles Daesh militants in desert: monitor". Arab News. 24 August 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  108. "Syrian Arab Army captured Bir Qutqut, al-Asfuriyah and several hamlets from Islamic State". twitter.com. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  109. "Regime forces achieve the most important advancement in the desert and impose their largest siege and encircle ISIS in thousands of square kilometers". SOHR. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  110. "Syrian army surrounds Islamic State enclave in central Syria". Reuters. 24 August 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  111. "Syrian troops capture wide areas from IS in country's center". The Associated Press. 26 August 2017. Archived from the original on 28 August 2017. Retrieved 27 August 2017.
  112. Almasdar News. Breaking: Syrian rebels, ISIS begin coordinated offensive on Aleppo supply line. Archived 19 October 2017 at the Wayback Machine By Chris Tomson - 24/08/2017.
  113. "Update: ISIS offensive on Aleppo supply line stopped in its tracks by the Syrian Army". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 24 August 2017. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  114. "Breaking: ISIS launches humongous offensive in south Raqqa, makes major gains". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 24 August 2017. Archived from the original on 27 September 2019. Retrieved 25 August 2017.
  115. "IS militants push back advancing Syrian troops near Raqqa". Washington Post. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  116. "IS counterattack kills 34 Syria regime forces in Raqa province - The Express Tribune". 25 August 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  117. "Syrian Army tightens siege on central Syria, liberates three towns". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 25 August 2017. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
  118. "Video: Tiger Forces secure Ghanim al-Ali, ISIS offensive doomed in south Raqqa". Al-Masdar News. 26 August 2017. Archived from the original on 22 November 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  119. "تنظيم الدولة يتقدم في ريف الرقة الجنوبي الشرقي بعد هجوم مباغت على قوات النظام". Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  120. "New offensive puts the Syrian Army 66km away from lifting the siege on Deir Ezzor". Al-Masdar News. 29 August 2017. Archived from the original on 3 September 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  121. "Syrian Army takes over strategic mountain en route to Deir Ezzor". Al-Masdar News. 31 August 2017. Archived from the original on 4 September 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  122. "Syrian Arab Army fully captured Jabal Bishri and is only 37 km away from Deir ez-Zor". Twitter. 31 August 2017. (map: pic.twitter.com/2bXA0ECdpA). Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  123. "Breaking: Syrian forces within 50 km of Deir Ezzor city". Al-Masdar News. 31 August 2017. Archived from the original on 11 September 2019. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  124. "Breaking: Syrian Army makes huge advance towards Deir Ezzor, 25km to lift siege". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 2 September 2017. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
  125. "Final showdown against ISIL set in Deir Ezzor: map". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 3 September 2017. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
  126. "Breaking: Elite Syrian forces just 18 km away from Deir Ezzor city". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 3 September 2017. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
  127. "Syrian army, allies thrust east to break siege in Deir al-Zor city". Reuters. 4 September 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  128. "Breaking: Syrian Army liberates last town before Deir Ezzor city". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 4 September 2017. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
  129. "Breaking: Syrian Army liberates strategic town en route to Deir Ezzor City". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 4 September 2017. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
  130. "Syrian army breaks three-year siege of Deir ez-Zor". Teletrader.com.
  131. Syrian army breaks Isis' three-year-long siege of Deir Ezzor: Liberating the city will mean relief for its 70,000 residents as Isis, feeling the pressure, begins to conscript female fighters The Independent, 5 September 2017.
  132. "Breaking: Syrian Army begins second phase of Deir Ezzor offensive". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 5 September 2017. Archived from the original on 6 September 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  133. "Next phase of the Syrian Army's Deir Ezzor offensive - the military airport". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 5 September 2017. Archived from the original on 5 September 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  134. "Syrian Army expands buffer zone around Deir Ezzor supply line, liberates new sites". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 7 September 2017. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 7 September 2017.
  135. "Syrian Army liberates new areas en route to lifting siege on Deir Ezzor Airport". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 8 September 2017. Archived from the original on 27 November 2017. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  136. Syrian forces break ISIS siege of Deir ez-Zor airfield after Russian air strike TASS, 9 September 2017.
  137. Syrian Army breaks ISIS’ siege on Deir Ezzor Airport and Hrabesh and Tahtouh neighborhoods SANA, 9 September 2017.
  138. "By Russian ground and air support, the regime forces restore 35 cities, towns and villages with an area of more than 1300 square kilometers in the countryside of Deir Ezzor and Raqqa". Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  139. "Syrian Army liberates important Deir Ezzor district in Euphrates River Valley". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 14 September 2017. Archived from the original on 21 September 2018. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  140. "Exclusive:: Watch the Syrian Army liberate Al-Baghiliyah in Deir Ezzor". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 16 September 2017. Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  141. "Deir Ezzor update: Syrian Army advances along western bank of Euphrates River". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 14 September 2017. Archived from the original on 13 December 2018. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  142. "ضربات جوية تستهدف شرق الفرات". SOHR (in Arabic). 16 September 2017. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  143. "Breaking: Syrian Army liberates strategic town south of Deir Ezzor city". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 17 September 2017. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  144. "Deir Ezzor map update - September 17, 2017". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 17 September 2017. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  145. "Syrian Army scores massive advance in northwest Deir Ezzor". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 17 September 2017. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 18 September 2017.
  146. "Video: Syrian Army troops in south Raqqa meet up with Deir Ezzor forces". Archived from the original on 16 November 2018. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  147. "Breaking: Syrian Army liberates Ma'adan, entire western Euphrates bank north of Deir Ezzor from ISIS". Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  148. "The "Islamic State" organization loses its stronghold in Al-Raqqah city and its presence in the province is completely lost". Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  149. "Syrian Army fully liberates southeast Raqqa, northwest Deir Ezzor: map". 24 September 2017. Archived from the original on 15 January 2019. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  150. "Airstrikes hit Syria's Aleppo despite ceasefire". ABC News. Archived from the original on 28 September 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  151. "Syrian Army tightens siege on ISIL by liberating more areas in central Syria". AMN - Al-Masdar News. 28 August 2017. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
  152. "Syrian Army, allies advance on ISIL's last stronghold in central Syria". AMN - Al-Masdar News. 29 August 2017. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
  153. "Breaking: Syrian Army creates new ISIS pocket in east Hama after liberating 6 major towns". AMN - Al-Masdar News. 31 August 2017. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
  154. "Syrian Army, allies liberate key village from ISIS in central Homs". AMN - Al-Masdar News. 31 August 2017. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
  155. "Syrian Army within striking distance of ISIL's last central Syria stronghold". AMN - Al-Masdar News. 31 August 2017. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
  156. "Over 120 Daesh militants killed in clashes with Syrian regime forces". TRT World.
  157. "Breaking: Syrian Army liberates two more towns in central Syria". Al-Masdar News. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
  158. "Video: Syrian Army secures main ISIS base, 2 more towns in east Hama". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 4 September 2017. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
  159. "Syrian Army liberates two towns in central Syria". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 6 September 2017. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
  160. "Syrian Army keeps rolling in central Syria, four more villages liberated". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 6 September 2017. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
  161. "Syrian Army liberates 5 towns in central Syria". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 13 September 2017. Archived from the original on 22 November 2017. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  162. "In pictures: Syrian Army makes important advance in central Syria". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 11 September 2017. Archived from the original on 25 November 2017. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  163. "ISIS enclave in east Hama shrinking as Army advances". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 14 September 2017. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  164. "ISIL launches major counter-offensive in central Syria". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 15 September 2017. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  165. "Video: North Hama skies filled with fire as Islamist tanks, troops assault Syrian Army positions". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 16 September 2017. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  166. "Breaking: ISIL ejected from 4 key areas in east Hama by Syrian forces". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 16 September 2017. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  167. "Syrian Army keeps rolling in central Syria, new areas liberated". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 21 September 2017. Archived from the original on 21 November 2017. Retrieved 21 September 2017.
  168. "Syrian Army liberates new town in east Homs". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 22 September 2017. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
  169. "Breaking: Syrian military command announces end of east Homs operation, 1800km2 liberated". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 6 October 2017. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 7 October 2017.
  170. "Deir Ezzor Update: ISIS fights back, launches all-out attack". Archived from the original on 21 October 2017. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  171. Syrian Observatory: Islamic State captures town from government Reuters, 1 October 2017.
  172. Beth McKernan, Isis retakes town 200 miles into Syrian government territory in surprise counter attack, The Independent, 2 October 2017
  173. "After the great reinforcements which carried out the clashes of the "counter attacks"…ISIS brings about 1000 non-Syrian fighters from "Al-Qaradish" in Iraq". Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  174. "Breaking: Syrian Army liberates ancient city of Quraytayn". Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  175. بعد ساعات على بدء العملية…قوات النظام تستعيد السيطرة على مدينة القريتين
  176. At least 67 bodies found after Islamic State 'massacre' in Syria town Chicago Tribune
  177. "Deir Ezzor update: Syrian Army within striking distance of ISIS capital - map". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 5 October 2017. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 7 October 2017.
  178. "Syrian forces enter one of Islamic State group's last strongholds". France 24. 6 October 2017. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  179. News, Al-Masdar. "Syrian Army dominates new areas occupied by #ISIS in eastern Deir Ezzor". Twitter. Retrieved 19 November 2017. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  180. "Intensive shelling by the regime forces accompanies the continuous fighting on the banks of the Euphrates River in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor". SOHR. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.