DAMASCUS, Syria — The Russian Ministry of Defense announced Oct. 20 that 92% of Syrian territories have been liberated from Islamic State (IS) militants. The announcement came after the Syrian army, backed by Russia and with Iranian support, advanced in Deir ez-Zor in eastern Syria and in IS-controlled areas in Hama’s eastern countryside. The army defeated IS and gained control of most villages and towns.
The increased Iranian support for the Syrian regime in the battlefield of Hama’s eastern countryside was evident from the results. The pro-Iranian Al-Mayadeen channel, which is allegedly funded by businessmen close to the Syrian regime, reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced Oct. 17 that “the Syrian regime and Resistance Axis allies tightened their grip on the liberated areas in Hama’s eastern countryside, asserting the cleansing of 15 villages from IS militants and securing the Salamiyah-Ithriya road.”
The Ithriya road stretches from Salamiyah (33 kilometers, or 20 miles, to the southeast of Hama) to Raqqa, IS’ former capital, which was liberated Oct. 17 by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The road holds strategic importance as it secures a safe supply line from the regime-controlled areas to reach Raqqa in the east.
The military presence in Hama’s eastern countryside is not limited to the regime, its allies and IS. Al-Qaeda affiliate Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is also present in the northeastern Hama countryside near the borders with Idlib. According to the opposition’s Rozana website, clashes between Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and IS have been ongoing since IS attacked Hayat Tahrir al-Sham-controlled areas Oct. 9. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham announced Oct. 24 the death of 10 IS militants who tried to infiltrate its positions.
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