Battle for central Syria intensifies as the Syrian Army advances toward Deir Ezzor

The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) has been relentless in the vast desert area of central Syria recently, launching several attacks across the eastern parts of the Homs and Hama governorates.

On Monday, the Syrian Arab Army continued to roll over the Islamic State (ISIL) forces in the eastern countryside of Salamiyah, liberating the oil road located directly east of the small town of Aqareb.

Following the capture of the oil road, the Syrian Arab Army, alongside the National Defense Forces (NDF), managed to advance south of the key town of Sheikh Hilal, seizing Shahd 8 and 9 after a short battle with the ISIL terrorists in the area.

Meanwhile, in the southern countryside of Palmyra, the Syrian Arab Army’s 5th Corps liberated several points near the Al-Abassiyah Well, killing and wounding scores of militants in the process.

With the Syrian Arab Army’s field operations heating up in east Homs and east Hama, the Islamic State forces will have their hands full for the coming weeks, as they attempt to hold onto their central Syria strongholds.