Syrian Desert campaign (December 2016–April 2017) explained

Conflict:Syrian Desert campaign (December 2016–April 2017)
Partof:the Deir ez-Zor Governorate campaign, inter-rebel conflict during the Syrian civil war, and the International military intervention against ISIL
Date:First offensive:
29 December 2016 – 8 January 2017

Second offensive:
15 March – 2 April 2017

Third offensive:
20 – 30 April 2017
Place:Syrian Desert, Syria
Result:Rebel victory
  • FSA-led rebels capture more than 1,800 square kilometres (~695 square miles) of territory from ISIL[1] [2]
  • Syrian Army captures more than 300 square kilometres (~116 square miles) of territory from ISIL in north-eastern Suwayda Governorate[3]
  • ISIL expelled from the Suwayda Governorate and the eastern slopes of the Qalamoun mountains
Combatant1: Free Syrian Army
Eastern Qalamoun only:
Jaysh al-Islam
Ahrar al-Sham[4] [5] Authenticity and Development Front
Tahrir al-Sham
Supported by:
CJTF–OIR
Commander1: Abu Hamza al-Tayeb[6]

Capt. Ahmad Tamer[7]

Talas Salama[8]

Lt. Col. Muhannad Talaa[9]
Commander2:Unknown
Units1: Free Syrian Army
Units2: Military of ISIL
  • Wilayat Damascus
  • Wilayat Suwayda (until April 2017)
Casualties1:117 killed
Casualties2:21+ killed[13] [14]

The Syrian Desert campaign (December 2016–April 2017) was a military campaign launched by Syrian rebel forces affiliated with the Free Syrian Army's Southern Front and their allies in the southern Syrian Desert and the eastern Qalamoun Mountains. The aim of the offensive was to expel the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant from the desert in southern Syria and to open a supply route between two rebel-held areas.[15]

The campaign

First FSA offensive (December 2016–January 2017)

On 29 December 2016, Southern Front groups led by the Forces of Martyr Ahmad al-Abdo launched an offensive against ISIL positions in the eastern Qalamoun Mountains. The offensive was code named as the "Battle to Restore Dignity" by the rebels.[16] The rebel forces captured the Abu Risha dam as well as five villages.[17] Five days later, the rebels attacked the last bastions of ISIL in the Badia al-Sham area of the desert.[15]

On 3 January 2017, the Army of Free Tribes announced the capture of the Zelaf dam east of as-Suwayda, the village next to it, and an ancient grotto used as a black site by ISIL.[18] On 8 January, the Forces of Ahmad al-Abdo captured more than 18 positions in the eastern Qalamoun Mountains from ISIL.[14]

Interlude

On 8 February, rebel forces advanced in the eastern Qalamoun, which resulted in heavy clashes with ISIL.[19] On 13 February, rebel forces led by the Lions of the East Army advanced in the as-Suwayda Governorate near the Jordan–Syria border and captured al-Kraa and al-Dayathah from ISIL.[20]

Second FSA offensive (15 March–2 April 2017)

The Free Syrian Army's Martyr Ahmad al-Abdo Forces launched a night assault between 15 and 16 March against ISIL in the Eastern Qalamoun Mountains. The offensive was launched on two fronts, the eastern Qalamoun Mountains and the Syrian Desert along the Jordan–Syria border. The rebels code-named the former as the "Battle for the Expulsion of Agressors" while the latter was termed the "Saddle of horses".[21] [1] The rebels seized several points in the al-Afai Mountain.

Rebel factions attacked ISIL on 18 and 19 March near al-Badia and captured several areas, including a former Scientific Research Battalion base.[22] [23] They captured several areas including the strategic Mount Naqab on 20 March.[24] [25] [26] By 21 March, the rebels had captured more than 25 square kilometres of territory in the eastern Qalamoun and more than 1,800 square kilometres overall since the start of the campaign. ISIL forces were routed from the majority of eastern Qalamoun.[12] [26] Ahrar al-Sham announced that its fighters had captured al-Afai mountain range.[27]

Rebels continued clashing at a rest stop near Baghdad-Damascus highway, amid advancement for the rebels in the region.[28] It was reported on 24 March that ISIL was withdrawing from southern Syria to focus on the Raqqa offensive and had withdrawn from several areas of eastern Qalamoun without putting up any resistance.[29] Two days later, FSA forces seized three more villages from ISIL near the Iraqi border.[30]

The Syrian Arab Army, backed up by the National Defence Forces and the Air Force Intelligence Directorate, attacked ISIL in the countryside of eastern Suwayda on 26 March as the militants were withdrawing. SAA captured several villages and sites during the advance.[31] The FSA made a large advance at the same time, reaching the front lines with SAA the next day. The FSA announced that they had captured al-Badia area and more than a dozen sites near Bir al-Qasab, which were the main ISIL strongholds in southeastern Syria.[32] [33] Many villages including Bir Qasab were captured from ISIL in the rebel advance.[34] [35] The rebels captured the Dakwa mountain area on 28 March,[36] [37] After midnight, areas in Bir Qasab were targeted by an air raid.[38] The rebel advances fully expelled ISIL forces from the southwestern part of the Syrian Desert.[39]

On 29 March, the rebels announced that ISIL had been expelled from the entire countryside of Damascus. Orient News stated that ISIL had withdrawn from areas of Jabal al-Makhul, Tal Dakwa and its surroundings, al-Qeseb Be'r, al-Seraikhi and Tal al-Dukhan after the Syrian opposition groups attacked them.[40]

ISIL attacked the Al-Tanf military base near the Al Waleed border crossing on 8 April, first striking the base with a car bomb and then attacking both the base and a convoy of the Lions of the East Army with 20-30 infantry. The attack was repelled first by gunfire from the rebels and U.S. special operations forces, then by multiple airstrikes from the anti-ISIL coalition which killed most of the ISIL force and destroyed their vehicles. Rebels stated that four of their fighters and eight ISIL fighters were killed.[41]

Third FSA offensive (20–30 April 2017)

On 20 April, FSA rebels led by the Lions of the East Army captured Alalianih, along with an abandoned military base, in the Syrian Desert.[42] Four days later, the FSA launched an offensive around the eastern slopes of Qalamoun mountains, targeting the area around the villages of Al-Mahsaa and Abou Al-Shamat in order to lift ISIL's siege on eastern Qalamoun. The official media wings of FSA stated they captured many points during the day.[43]

On 29 April, ISIL launched a counter-attack against the rebels of Osoud Al-Sharqiya in Eastern Qalamoun. The group recaptured several sites in the region.[44] [45] The next day, the FSA launched a counterattack in the region and its official media wing later stated that it had recaptured several sites.[46]

Aftermath

See main article: Syrian Desert campaign (May–July 2017).

During the campaign, some rebel groups started to advance into the Homs and Deir ez-Zor governorates. A rebel spokesman stated that their goal was the expulsion of ISIL from the region and reaching the city of Deir ez-Zor. They would be supported by the anti-ISIL Coalition, rather than having the Syrian Democratic Forces capture it.[47] The FSA also wanted to capture the border town of al-Bukamal, the last border crossing under ISIL control between Iraq and Syria which they had also tried to capture in their failed 2016 offensive.[48]

On 30 April, the Revolutionary Commando Army attacked and advanced into eastern Syria, reaching the Deir ez-Zor Governorate and capturing the village of Humaymah to the south of the T2 pumping station.[47] [49] Two days later, the rebels attacked and captured several sites in the region, including: Tarwazeh Al-Wa`er, Sereit Al-Wa`er, Jabal Ghrab, Sawab desert, al-Kamm Sawab, the T2 Pumping Station, Me`izeileh and Tarwazeh al-Attshaneh.[50] On 6 May, the FSA captured several sites in the Badiya region of Homs Governorate to the south of Palmyra including Dahlous and Al-Halbah areas.[51]

On 7 May, the Syrian Arab Army launched an attack on the FSA, in the Badiya region of the southeastern countryside of Damascus,[52] advancing some 45 kilometers along the Baghdad-Damascus highway towards the Iraqi border.[53] On 18 May, a mechanized convoy of SAA soldiers and Iraqi Shi'ite militiamen was struck by several U.S. airstrikes northwest of the Zarqa Junction, destroying 5 tanks and a 1 Shilka, as well as killing 8-12 Iraqi militiamen. The advance along the Damascus-Baghdad Highway was halted.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Opposition to expel "Daesh" of the entire eastern Qalmoun. Al-Modon. 21 March 2017.
  2. Web site: ISIS expelled from Sweida province as rebel forces capture large swath of territory. Al-Masdar News. 28 March 2017. 28 March 2017. 23 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181123163142/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/isis-expelled-sweida-province-rebel-forces-capture-large-swath-territory/. dead.
  3. Web site: Syrian forces pummel ISIS in Suweida countryside as they mass withdraw towards Raqqa. Al-Masdar News. 27 March 2017. 27 March 2017. 2 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190502075808/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-forces-pummel-isis-in-suweida-countryside-as-they-mass-withdraw-towards-raqqa/. dead.
  4. Web site: Syrian rebels seize multiple sites in mountainous region northeast of Damascus. al-Masdar News. Chris Tomson. 16 March 2017. 22 March 2017. 25 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180925194702/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-rebels-seize-multiple-sites-mountainous-region-northeast-damascus/. dead.
  5. Web site: Revolutionary Factions Regaining strategic areas of IS Group in Qalamoun. El-Dorar Al-Shamia. 21 March 2017. 22 March 2017.
  6. Web site: قائد ميداني في أحرار العشائر لقاسيون : طردنا تنظيم الدولة من سد الزلف بريف درعا. Qasioun News Agency. 6 January 2017. 6 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20170107101238/https://www.qasioun.net/ar/news/show/46669/%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%AF_%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A_%D9%81%D9%8A_%D8%A3%D8%AD%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B1_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B4%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%B1_%D9%84%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%86__%D8%B7%D8%B1%D8%AF%D9%86%D8%A7_%D8%AA%D9%86%D8%B8%D9%8A%D9%85_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%84%D8%A9_%D9%85%D9%86_%D8%B3%D8%AF_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B2%D9%84%D9%81_%D8%A8%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%81_%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%B9%D8%A7. 7 January 2017. dead. dmy-all.
  7. Web site: Ahmad Al-Abdo Forces: "We Refuse Having Safe Zones If The Intent Is To Divide Syria". RFS Media Office. Ahmad Zakaryya. 10 February 2017. 21 March 2017. 20 March 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170320234137/https://rfsmediaoffice.com/en/2017/02/10/ahmad-al-abdo-forces-refuse-safe-zones-intent-divide-syria/. dead.
  8. Web site: قائد جيش أسود الشرقية لـ "قاسيون": نسعى من معركة "رد الاعتبار" التمدد نحو شرق سوريا. Qasioun News Agency. 9 January 2017. 6 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20170202014732/https://www.qasioun.net/ar/news/show/47012/%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%AF_%D8%AC%D9%8A%D8%B4_%D8%A3%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%AF_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%82%D9%8A%D8%A9_%D9%84%D9%80_%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%86_%D9%86%D8%B3%D8%B9%D9%89_%D9%85%D9%86_%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%B1%D9%83%D8%A9_%D8%B1%D8%AF_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%AF%D8%AF_%D9%86%D8%AD%D9%88_%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%82_%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A7. 2 February 2017. dead. dmy-all.
  9. Web site: Syrian opposition groups massing in Qalmoun to restore destroy the system and coordinate the participation of Jordanian US. Al-Quds al-Arabi. 12 January 2017.
  10. News: FSA Launches a New Battle against IS Group in the Desert of #Syrian. El-Dorar al-Shamia. 19 March 2017. 20 March 2017.
  11. Web site: Territorial Control Map – Sham Desert. Omran Dirasat. 4 January 2017.
  12. Web site: VIDEO: Syrian militants continue rapid advance against ISIS in eastern Qalamoun. Al-Masdar News. Paul Antonopoulos. 22 March 2017. 22 March 2017. 23 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181123124230/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/video-syrian-militants-continue-rapid-advance-against-isis-in-eastern-qalamoun/. dead.
  13. Web site: Opposition controls large areas in the eastern Qalmoun after clashes with state regulation. Qasioun News Agency. 20 March 2017. 21 March 2017. 19 October 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171019105307/http://www.qasioun.net/ar/news/show/57496/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%B6%D8%A9_%D8%AA%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%B7%D8%B1_%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89_%D9%85%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B7%D9%82_%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%B9%D8%A9_%D9%81%D9%8A_%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D9%84%D9%85%D9%88%D9%86_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%82%D9%8A_%D8%A8%D8%B9%D8%AF_%D8%A7%D8%B4%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%83%D8%A7%D8%AA_%D9%85%D8%B9_%D8%AA%D9%86%D8%B8%D9%8A%D9%85_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%84%D8%A9. dead.
  14. Web site: FSA startles organizing "state" Bakulmon. Baladi News. 8 January 2017. 9 January 2017. 2 February 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170202013147/http://baladi-news.com/ar/news/details/14670/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%8A%D8%B4_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%B1_%D9%8A%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%B9%D9%8A%D8%AF_18_%D9%86%D9%82%D8%B7%D8%A9_%D9%85%D9%86_%D8%AA%D9%86%D8%B8%D9%8A%D9%85_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%84%D8%A9_%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D9%84%D9%85%D9%88%D9%86. dead.
  15. Web site: Qalmoun rebels in control of the last bastions of Daesh Balbadah Levantine. Step News Agency. 3 January 2017. 7 January 2017. 14 November 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171114040716/http://stepagency-sy.net/archives/125566. dead.
  16. Web site: Brigades rebels advancing in the sites (Daesh) east of the endosperm. All4Syria. 5 January 2017.
  17. Web site: Free Syrian Army launches large-scale offensive in east Qalamoun. Al-Masdar News. 29 December 2016. 7 January 2017. 5 January 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170105180813/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/free-syrian-army-launches-large-scale-offensive-east-qalamoun/. dead.
  18. Web site: مغارة عثمانية حولها داعش إلى سجن سري في السويداء. Now News. 6 January 2017.
  19. Web site: Syrian Opposition Carry Out A Wide Offensive Over ISIS Positions Eastern Qalamon. Qasioun News Agency. 8 February 2017.
  20. Web site: Osud al-Sharqiyyah attacks the "Islamic State" organization's controlled areas tens of kilometers east of al-Suwaidaa city and controls 2 areas. SOHR. 13 February 2017.
  21. Web site: A progress for rebels in the battle of Saddle horses in the Syrian desert - Step News Agency. 31 March 2017. 19 October 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171019110959/http://stepagency-sy.net/en/archives/112052. dead.
  22. Web site: Violent clashes in the eastern Qalamoun result in advancement of the factions within a new battle. SOHR. 19 March 2017.
  23. Web site: Rebels overrun ISIL in Syrian Desert. Leith Fadel. Al-Masdar News. 19 March 2017. 19 March 2017. 16 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170516171015/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/rebels-overrun-isil-syrian-desert/. dead.
  24. Web site: Militants capture Jabal Al-Naqab from ISIS in Syria's vast desert region. Paul Antonopoulos. Al-Masdar News. 20 March 2017. 21 March 2017. 16 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170516161450/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/militants-capture-jabal-al-naqab-from-isis-in-syrias-vast-desert-region/. dead.
  25. Web site: The factions advance in the Eastern Qalamoun and exchange of shelling in Lattakia Mountains. SOHR. 20 March 2017.
  26. Web site: VIDEO: Syrian militants continue rapid advance against ISIS in eastern Qalamoun. Al-Masdar News. 21 March 2017. 22 March 2017. 23 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181123124230/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/video-syrian-militants-continue-rapid-advance-against-isis-in-eastern-qalamoun/. dead.
  27. Web site: Syrian Factions Expel Islamic State from Mountainous Area in Damascus. Latin American Herald Tribune. 21 March 2017. 22 March 2017. 23 March 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170323052741/http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=2433248&CategoryId=12395. dead.
  28. Web site: الفصائل المقاتلة تواصل هجومها على مواقع تنظيم "الدولة الإسلامية" بالقلمون الشرقي وقصف متجدد على درعا. SOHR. 22 March 2017. ar.
  29. Web site: ISIL withdrawing fighters from southern Syria to concentrate on Raqqa. al-Masdar News. 24 March 2017. 25 March 2017. 15 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170515131609/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/isil-withdrawing-fighters-southern-syria-concentrate-raqqa/. dead.
  30. Web site: Western-backed rebels capture three villages in southern Syria. al-Masdar News. 26 March 2017. 27 March 2017. 10 June 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170610120437/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/western-backed-rebels-capture-three-villages-southern-syria/. dead.
  31. Web site: Syrian forces pummel ISIS in Suweida countryside as they mass withdraw towards Raqqa. al-Masdar News. 27 March 2017. 27 March 2017. 2 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190502075808/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-forces-pummel-isis-in-suweida-countryside-as-they-mass-withdraw-towards-raqqa/. dead.
  32. Web site: Western-backed rebels take control of large parts of eastern Al-Sweida. al-Masdar News. 27 March 2017. 27 March 2017. 10 June 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170610121950/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/western-backed-rebels-take-control-large-parts-eastern-al-sweida/. dead.
  33. Web site: FSA rebels claim capture of key Islamic State territory in southeastern desert. Syria Direct. 27 March 2017.
  34. Web site: Syrian rebels push into IS-held territories in Syrian desert. The New Arab. 27 March 2017.
  35. Web site: Factions of the battle of "Sarajna al-Jiyad" expel the "Islamic State" organization of more areas of the Syrian Desert and other areas. SOHR. 27 March 2017.
  36. Web site: الفصائل تواصل تقدمها في ريف دمشق الجنوبي الشرقي بعد تقدمها في بير القصب. SOHR. 28 March 2017. ar.
  37. Web site: Islamist rebels enter eastern Homs amid total Islamic State collapse in East Qalamoun. Al-Masdar News. 28 March 2017. 28 March 2017. 17 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170517062614/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/islamist-rebels-enter-eastern-homs-amid-total-islamic-state-collapse-east-qalamoun/. dead.
  38. Web site: Airstrikes target B'er al-Qasab and clashes in the Western Qalamoun. SOHR.
  39. Web site: Syrian rebels seize swathes of south as Islamic State retreats. Suleiman. Al-Khalidi.
  40. Web site: Opposition fighters: Damascus countryside free from ISIS control. Orient News. 28 March 2017. 31 March 2017. 1 April 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170401055841/http://orient-news.net/en/news_show/134274/0/Opposition-fighters-Damascus-countryside-free-from-ISIS-control. dead.
  41. Web site: Islamic State launches two suicide attacks on U.S.-backed Syrian rebels. Suleiman al-Khalidi. Reuters. 9 April 2017.
  42. Web site: "Free Army" controls "Alalianih" in the Syrian desert. Enab Baladi. 20 April 2017.
  43. Web site: Free Syrian Army launches big offensive in northeast Damascus. Leith Fadel. Al-Masdar News. 24 April 2017. 28 April 2017. 15 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170515144019/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/free-syrian-army-launches-big-offensive-northeast-damascus/. dead.
  44. News: ISIS counter-offensive devastates rebel forces in East Qalamoun. 29 April 2017. AMN - Al-Masdar News المصدر نيوز. 29 April 2017. en-US. 15 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170515013532/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/isis-counter-offensive-devastates-rebel-forces-east-qalamoun/. dead.
  45. Web site: Counter attack by the "Islamic State" organization in the Eastern Qalamoun and airstrikes target the countryside of Aleppo and al-Raqqah city. SOHR. 29 April 2017.
  46. News: Free Syrian Army launches counter-offensive in northeast Damascus. Fadel. Leith. 30 April 2017. AMN - Al-Masdar News المصدر نيوز. 30 April 2017. en-US. 15 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170515025125/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/free-syrian-army-launches-counter-offensive-northeast-damascus/. dead.
  47. Web site: جيش مغاوير الثورة لـ "قاسيون": سيطرنا على حميمة ونستعد لدخول دير الزور. Qasioun News Agency. 30 April 2017. ar. 21 May 2017. 4 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170504121236/http://www.qasioun.net/ar/news/show/64196/%D8%AC%D9%8A%D8%B4_%D9%85%D8%BA%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%B1_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AB%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%A9_%D9%84%D9%80_%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%86_%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%B7%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%A7_%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89_%D8%AD%D9%85%D9%8A%D9%85%D8%A9_%D9%88%D9%86%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%B9%D8%AF_%D9%84%D8%AF%D8%AE%D9%88%D9%84_%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%B1_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B2%D9%88%D8%B1. dead.
  48. Web site: Syrian War Update – Threats and solutions for 2017 (May 5, 2017): A strategic review. Andrew. Illingworth. Al-Masdar News. 5 May 2017. 21 May 2017. 17 June 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170617100426/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-war-update-threats-solutions-2017-may-5-2017-strategic-review/. dead.
  49. Web site: المعارضة مدعومة من التحالف الدولي تسيطر على بلدة حميمة بريف دير الزور الجنوبي. Ittihad Press. 30 April 2017. ar.
  50. Web site: US-backed militants advance deep inside ISIS-controlled Syrian desert. Ivan. Yakovlev. Al-Masdar News. 2 May 2017. 21 May 2017. 15 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170515104741/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/us-backed-militants-advance-deep-inside-isis-controlled-syrian-desert/. dead.
  51. Web site: Video footage of FSA troops advancing 70km south of Palmyra. Fadel. Leith. Al-Masdar News. 6 May 2017. 21 May 2017. 21 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170521233446/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/video-footage-fsa-troops-advancing-70km-south-palmyra/. dead.
  52. Web site: Syrian Army begins important operation to prevent US-Jordanian troops from entering Damascus. 7 May 2017. almasdarnews.com. 26 June 2017. 23 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181123173259/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-begins-important-operation-prevent-us-jordanian-troops-entering-damascus/. dead.
  53. Web site: Syrian troops shift focus to IS-held east. miamiherald.com. 26 June 2017.

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