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How the Syrian army is working to gain control of road to Raqqa

The Syrian regime army took control of Hama’s eastern countryside from the Islamic State, which opened a road toward eastern Syria and areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces.
A Syrian government soldier gestures a v-sign under the Syrian national flag near a general view of eastern Aleppo after they took control of al-Sakhour neigbourhood in Aleppo, Syria in this handout picture provided by SANA on November 28, 2016. SANA/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. EDITORIAL USE ONLY. REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THIS IMAGE. - RC14B3B13650
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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.”

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