ALEPPO — Islamic State attacks in the Syrian desert have escalated over the past two weeks, causing heavy losses among the Syrian government forces and their allied militias.

Russia has intensified airstrikes on IS positions in support of regime forces as they attack IS positions and hideouts in the rugged desert areas.

A tribal official told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, “The Russian air raids have significantly increased since the beginning of October, targeting IS sites in the Ithriyah-Khanaser-Rusafa triangle. [Russian] planes also bombed IS sites in the rugged hills surrounding the Sukhnah area on the Deir ez-Zor-Homs road, killing 10 IS fighters and destroying several hideouts and fortifications used by the militant group.”

The official added, “The regime forces launched a counterattack against the organization in several areas of the Syrian desert, backed by heavy Russian air support and with the participation of allied militias. Chief among them are the tribal Tiger Forces led by Suheil al-Hassan, a brigadier general in the Syrian army who is backed by Russia; Liwa al-Quds; groups affiliated with the Lebanese Hezbollah; and a number of groups affiliated with Iranian militias such as the Baqir Brigade and the Afghan Fatemiyoun Brigade.”