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The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and its allies entered the Sukhna gas field located in less than 2km from the strategic ISIS-held town at the Palmyra-Deir Ezzor road. Heavy clashes are reportedly now ongoing in the gas field area. If government troops secure it, their next step will be to enter the town of Sukhna itself.
In the province of Raqqah, the SAA Tiger Forces and tribal forces liberated the Wadi ‘Ubayd oil-field and further advanced in the direction of the so-called Bishri Triangle in order to get control over this important logistical site. Clashes near Subkah and Ghanim Ali are ongoing.
In Raqqah city, the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have made a significant progress against ISIS in Nazlat Shehadeh district and captured Al-Mustafa Mosque that had been used as a defense point by ISIS. ISIS claimed that up to 10 SDF members died in clashes and a VBIED attack. However, the terrorist group has lost about 50% of the city to the SDF.
On Thursday, spokesman for the US-led coalition Col. Ryan Dillon revealed the current numbers of ISIS fighters in Syria and Iraq. According to Pentagon, about 20,000 ISIS fighters still control several areas in the two countries.
Col. Dillon said that between 5,000 and 10,000 fighters are now in the middle Euphrates Valley area running from Deir Ezzor to the Iraq-Syria border region. He also revealed that the number of remaining ISIS fighters in Raqqa is less than 2000. ISIS reportedly has 1,000 fighters in Tal Afar, 1,000 fighters in Hawija, and 1,000 fighters in Qaim area on the Syrian-Iraqi border.
Col. Dillon added that several ISIS commanders were killed over the past months, including Abu Sulayman al-Iraqi, senior propaganda official, Bassam al-Jayfus, ISIS terror attack funds, Ibrahim al-Ansari, ISIS propaganda official, Abu Ali al-Janubi, senior media director, Abu-Sayf al-‘Isawi, ISIS media emir, Abu-Khattab al-Rawi, another ISIS media emir, and Rayaan Meshaal, head and founder of the ISIS-linked Amaq News Agency.
Col. Dillon added that the collation stopped supporting Shuhada al-Qaryatayn Brigade. Col. Dillon said the group patrolled areas outside of the de-escalation zone and engaged in activities not related to fighting ISIS without the permission of the US-led coalition leadership. He added that the coalition only supports forces committed to fighting ISIS.
On July 23, Shuhada al-Qaryatayn Brigade announced that it had cut off its relationship with the coalition because it had demanded to stop attacks against the SAA. Shuhada al-Qaryatayn Brigade was one of the largest US-backed groups deployed the At Tanf base at the Syrian-Iraqi border.
At a rate of 100 casualties a day that gives ISIS a little over 6 months before they are totally wiped out.
this logic does not work – it is like saying at the rate of rats leaving the boat, it will take so many days for the boat to sink – like good things in life, this will be slow at the begining, and then suddenly…
Reporting on the last stage of liberating Al Sukhanah:
The Last Hours of ISIS in Al Sukhanah.
“… For the ones following closely the battle for al Sukhanah, here goes some news:
1) The SAA is close to control most of the southern side of al Sukhanah, by the N7 highway, should the SAA reaches the SE town exit through the N7, then ISIS will toasted.
2) It seems that instead of heading block by block inside al Sukhanah, in a very delicate position since ISIS still controls the high ground in Jabal Tuntur, the SAA decided to force a give or die decision for ISIS by check mating them.
3) ISIS is trying hard to outflank the SAA by hitting with artillery the southern part of al Sukhanah, but this is a sign of giving up for me, it seems ISIS is actually trying to build a buffer zone for the fellows terrorists to escape. We may be into the last few hours of ISIS in al Sukhanah.
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=pt&lat=34.878538&lon=38.871088&z=14&m=b
4) The battle for al Sukhanah and the main highway, N7, toward Der ez Zor, will be only safe when the Najib and Doubayat gas fields are under SAA control, this important achievement will allow the SAA to control the last large facilities before Kabbajb/al Shulah, some 70kms of flat desert, then Der ez Zor would be just around the corner.
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=pt&lat=34.791250&lon=38.892975&z=11&m=b&gz=0;388922882;346628638;734710;2374286;0;0;1572418;200470;1963806;2470016
ISIS defenses in al Sukhanah is collapsing quickly, it seems their strategy to hit the SAA with artillery fire south of the city was to allow their last terrorists to leave the city.
The final attack from the SAA and allies are happening from many directions, NW, SW and South. Last few hours to liberate al Sukhanah, as mentioned for few days, the battle was strategically won last Wednesday/Thursday with the big push, the following few days was basically maneuvers and out-maneuvers to get things done with minimum casualties.”
Bashar Jaffari Interview.
“… Amazing interview, thank you Carla Ortiz and Dr. Bashar Jaffari, a pillar of honesty and dignity in this mad world.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFz9eXgqrUY
Its imperative that the SAA after taking Sukhna move along the Euphrates River. Securing the entire Euphrates Valley south of there. The river marks a good defensive border to stop any US supported group from moving further south in Syria.While its horrible that US backed forces are already across the Euphrates at Raqqa,what’s done is done. They must no be allowed to take more positions south of the river.
Latest:
Surprise Redeployment of the Tiger Forces to Northern Hama – Central Homs.
“… Strong indications that the Tiger Forces are on the way to northern Hama/Central Homs.
The Gen Suheil ” The Tiger” himself was there yesterday in a visit at the frontline. It is not yet known whether it will be all the Tiger Forces or just some battalions and how many will remain in the Euphrates river.”
“… Information confirmed by al Masdar few minutes ago. Tiger on the move already to NE Hama. It seems a game changer is needed for the area.”
Euphrates Axis.
“… Should this news be confirmed, the Euphrates axis toward Der ez Zor will reduce its speed without the Tiger Forces leading it, just 40 kms to DeZ.
I have said that by end of next week the SAA and allies would very close to DeZ, it surely may not happen if the Tiger is moved to another front line. Stay tuned.
“.. The latest from the Euphrates axis, the map below is pretty good. The SAA and allies are now creating pockets in the Euphrates, and are located 40+- kms from DeZ.”
https://twitter.com/GeromanAT/status/891389883973074944
Homs: The Euphrates Hawks (Another pro SAA Tribal Forces Group) accomplished their first operation around Sukhnah .
https://syria.liveuamap.com/pics/2017/07/29/21504039_1.jpg
https://syria.liveuamap.com/pics/2017/07/29/21504039_2.jpg
https://syria.liveuamap.com/pics/2017/07/29/21504039_3.jpg
This link works:
http://syria.liveuamap.com/en/2017/29-july-homs-the-euphrates-hawks-another-pro-saa-tribal-forces