Syrian Forces Double its Territorial Gain in Two Months

In one of the most significant developments, to reaffirm its position in the troubled country, the Syrian government forces have been able to increase two times its territorial control in a little over two months’ time, according to Russian Minister of Defense Sergey Shoigu.

The increase in the territorial control comes after the Syrian forces, backed by Russia and several regional allies like Iran, made a considerable advance against the Islamic State (IS) recently. An offensive against the militant outfit to drive them towards hinterlands is also underway.

In an interview with state-run news channel Rossiya 24, Shoigu revealed the territory controlled by Damascus has increased by 250 per cent. The minister added that the allies are focused to completely rout militant outfits like IS from their strongholds.

Earlier last week, the government forces took over a key area of Sukhna, an event seen as the first advance of the Syrian forces towards DeirEzor even as they are yet to register any significant gain in the IS stronghold along the Euphrates valley.

To completely eradicate IS from the key towns of the country, a final showdown is expected in the DeirEzor province, where IS controls vast swathes of wastelands. “There are such key points like DeirEzzor – I would say, first and foremost DeirEzzor… It’s such a basic point on the Euphrates River, which would largely, if not ultimately, tell about the end of the fight against ISIS,” Shoigu said.

Both the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and the US backed Kurdish led SDF/YPG are eyeing DeirEzzor, which is rich in oil and gas reserves. Reports suggest the Syrian forces have begun its advance towards the province currently under IS siege. For IS fighters, the coming days are crucial for its territorial presence, as the militant outfit is staring at a massive offensive that could drive them away and get them dispersed into hinterlands. It might also change the outfit's very existence as a so-called government.

Meanwhile, frequent skirmishes have been reported in Homs and Raqqah areas, where IS has claimed to have destroyed two battle tanks, east of the city of Sukhna, on Saturday.

Also, the Jabhat al Fath al Sham led Hayat, Tahrir Al Sham, which controls Idlib province in the country, is expected to leave Qalamoun Mountains near the Syria-Lebanon frontier as a part of the deal to release prisoners from government jails. After Al Qaeda affiliates left the Arasal area, Lebanon based Hezbollah said it will be resuming an offensive against IS militants Jarajeer and Al Qarah areas that will mark the end of IS fighters in the region.

In Idlib province, meanwhile, seven members of White Helmets (Syrian Civil Defense) were killed by unidentified gunmen in their Civil Defense Center in Sarmin. The assailants, reportedly, ran away with two cars, phones, and walkie-talkies among other things from the centre.

Both the US and Russia are working on to create more de-escalation zones in the country, to focus on immediate targets like IS. The US backed rebel groups, however, are also making efforts to gain more territory and close-in towards DeirEzzor. In wake of the current military situation, IS fighter nearing its defeat seems as one of the most apparent eventuality.

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