For the first time since August of 2014, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) has reentered the Al-Raqqa Governorate in northern Syria after a successful past few days of fighting against the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) along the Salamiyah-Raqqa Road that flows through much of east Hama.

The Syrian Arab Army’s 555th Brigade of the 4th Mechanized Division – alongside Liwaa Suqour Al-Sahra (Desert Hawks Brigade), the National Defense Forces (NDF), Fouj Al-Joulan (Golani Regiment), and the pro-government Palestinian militia “Liwaa Al-Quds” (Jerusalem Brigade) – have captured the entire part of the Salamiyah-Raqqa Road in the Hama Governorate, leaving only 35 km of territory between their positions and the strategic Tabaqa Military Airport.

Since capturing the Tabaqa Military Airport in August of 2014, ISIS has turned this site in the Al-Raqqa Governorate as their primary base and training grounds in northern Syria; it is constantly targeted by the U.S. Anti-ISIS Coalition and Russian Air Force.

While the next 35 km along the Salamiyah-Raqqa Highway will no doubt be an arduous journey for the Syrian Armed Forces, they have ensured the safety of their only supply route to the Aleppo Governorate.

With the Khanasser-Ithriyah Road being free of any ISIS presence, the Syrian Armed Forces can continue to concentrate their soldiers at the Raqqa-Hama axis without having to fear another disruption along their primary supply route to Aleppo