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On December 10, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and Hezbollah launched a military operation to eliminate the remaining ISIS fighters in the eastern Homs desert and the Deir Ezzor desert, according to pro-government sources.
The Hezbollah media wing in Syria announced that the SAA has liberated over 2000km2 between the T-2 station and the city of al-Bukamal in the Deir Ezzor desert. The SAA and its allies advanced about 18km during the first day of their military operation.
The US-led coalition had claimed on December 5 that around 3000 ISIS fighters remained in Syria and Iraq. According to this, at least 1,000-1,500 fighters of ISIS should be stationed in the east Homs desert now.
From its side, the ISIS-linked news agency Amaq didn’t report any attack against the SAA in the last 72 hours. This indicates that the terrorist group is likely facing nootable difficulties in the desert.
Many pro-movement activists believe that the remaining ISIS fighters will not be able to organize an effective defense against the SAA due to the severe climatic and geographical conditions in the east Homs and Deir Ezzor deserts.
