Two days after the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) launched a counter-assault at the strategic town of Maheen, the National Defense Forces (NDF) of Sadad, the Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP), and the Assyrian “Gozarto Protection Forces” (Sootooro) regrouped at Al-Hadath to the north and restarted their military operations to recapture the village of Hawareen in the Homs Governorate’s eastern countryside.

On Saturday morning, the Syrian Armed Forces – led by the Syrian Social Nationalist Party – struck the ISIS’ frontline positions at the northern flank of Hawareen, where they broke-through the terrorist group’s defenses after a series of intense firefights that eventually led to the pro-government forces taking full control of the village.

Following the capture of Hawareen, the Syrian Armed Forces pushed towards the strategic hilltop of Tal Daher that is located near the targeted town of Maheen, striking ISIS’ positions with incredible power before imposing full control over this site; this paved the way for the pro-government forces to advance towards Maheen after a two day absence.

Currently, the Syrian Armed Forces are attacking ISIS’ final line of defense between Hawareen and Maheen; if they are able to bypass their frontlines, they will be able to strike the Maheen Orchards once again.

Maheen is an imperative town that is located between the Syriac Christian cities of Al-Quraytayn and Sadad in the Homs Governorate’s eastern countryside – the former was captured by ISIS during their abrupt offensive in early August of this year.