Russian Warplanes Bombed ISIS Terrorists In Central Syria Ahead Of Large-Scale Operation

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Russian Su-25 attack aircraft take off from the Khmeimim airbase in Syria © Dmitriy Vinogradov / Sputnik

The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) And its allies are preparing to kick off a large-scale operation against ISIS cells in the central region, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported on May 2.

“Preparations are underway to launch a large-scale military operation in the deserts of Raqqa and Hama with support from Russian warplanes,” the London-based monitoring group said in a report.

As a part of the ongoing preparations for the upcoming operation, warplanes of the Russian Aerospace Forces carried out a series of airstrikes on ISIS hideouts in central Syria. The airstrikes targeted Jebel Bishri, along the administrative border between Raqqa and Deir Ezzor, the Hama-Aleppo-Raqqa triangle and other parts of the region.

Several units from the SAA 5^th Corps, 11^th Division and the 25^th Special Forces Division, known as the Tiger Forces, will take part in the operation. Syrian troops will move from Hama and Raqqa simultaneously.

ISIS cells in central Syria stepped up their attacks in the last few weeks. According to the SOHR, four SAA soldiers were killed and eight others were injured in a recent attack, which took place near the ancient city of Palmyra.

In an attempt to promote ISIS influence in central Syria, the Amaq news agency shared on May 2 photos of ISIS fighters going about their daily chores in Homs.

The upcoming operation confirms that the SAA and its allies, first and foremost Russia, are still committed to crop ISIS influence in the central region.

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