Earlier this morning, the Syrian Arab Army’s 67th Brigade of the 18th Tank Division – in coordination with Liwaa Suqour Al-Sahra (Desert Hawks Brigade) – continued their counter-offensive in the Jazal Mountains, capturing the entire town of Jazal, which is located northwest of the ancient city of Palmyra (Tadmur).

Following the capture of the aforementioned town, the Syrian Armed Forces pushed their way to Talat Al-Sawda’, where they engaged the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) in an intense series of clashes, killing 16 enemy combatants from the terrorist group before they were able to seize full control of this strategic hilltop located east Jazal.

The Syrian Armed Forces did not stop there: moments after seizing the hilltop at Talat Al-Sawda’, the SAA’s 67th Brigade pushed east towards Talat Al-Deeb; this is another hilltop that ISIS took control of during their recent offensive in the Jazal Mountains.

If the Syrian Armed Forces can recapture Talat Al-Deeb, they will be in position to take control of the road that stretches from the ancient city of Palmyra to the town of Jazal in the Homs Governorate’s eastern countryside.

For ISIS, the loss of Jazal puts them at a strategic disadvantage due to the rugged landscape they are currently combatting the Syrian Armed Forces for inside east Homs.