Syrian Special Forces Preparing for Large-Scale Operation in Western Raqqa
The source said that the Tiger Forces have returned to the Western countryside of Raqqa province, where they are expected to launch a new operation against the ISIL.
The source added that the main objective of the upcoming operation will be the capturing of the town of al-Sukhnah in Eastern Homs, which is an ISIL stronghold surrounded by many gas and oil fields.
Relevant reports said on Monday that the army troops ended the first phase of their operation to restore security to a major number of roads leading to Aleppo and were preparing for a next stage to reopen other roads and highways that connect Aleppo to Raqqa and Hama provinces.
Field sources pointed to restoring security to the road between the town of Khanasser in Aleppo and Ithriya in Hama, and said that the achievement restored security to a long chunk of Aleppo road that was under ISIL threat for the last four years.
The sources added that, in the meantime, the army is to kick off a second phase of its operation along the road towards Aqayrabat in Eastern Hama to end ISIL’s presence in the Eastern direction of al-Salamiyah-Ithriya-Khanasser.
In the meantime, the ground is expected to be paved for a part of army forces deployed in the Western direction of Khanasser-Ithriya road to leave their positions for other battlefields in Raqqa province to move from the town of al-Rasafeh towards the town of al-Sukhnah in Eastern Homs to join the pro-government forces’ operation to lift ISIL’s siege on Deir Ezzur city.
The sources further added that termination of the second phase of Aleppo road security will link again Aleppo to Hama and Raqqa provinces and would open new supply lines to the Southwestern territories of Raqqa province.
It seems that following the recent military achievements, the army intends to accelerate its advances in Badiyeh (desert) from three main flanks to reach the pro-government forces in Deir Ezzur province.
