On Thursday morning, the Syrian Arab Army’s Special Operations unit – the “Tiger Forces” (Al-Qawat Al-Nimr) – repulsed another Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) offensive that was geared to retake the rugged area at Tal SyriaTel. ISIS was initially successful at breaching through the 18th Brigade’s defenses and capturing the area north of Tal SyriaTel; however, the 18th Brigade was able to hold on long enough for the Tiger Forces to arrive and counter the militants.

Following the repelled ISIS offensive, the Tiger Forces launched an attack on the militants retreating north, resulting in their recapture of the three hills adjacent to the east tower of Tal SyriaTel. According to a military source, over 30 ISIS fighters were killed during their brief offensive at Tal SyriaTel, including a number of foreign fighters from North Africa.

The SAA is now in full control of Tal SyriaTel and all but 1 oil well at the Al-Sha’ar Gas Fields, with firefights intensifying at Well 105 on the outskirts of this area. The Tiger Forces’ presence in east Homs has benefitted the embattled 18th Brigade immensely, as their offensive tactics are specifically used to combat insurgencies like Jabhat Al-Nusra (Al-Nusra Front) and ISIS.