On Thursday morning in the Homs Governorate’s eastern countryside, the Syrian Arab Army’s 67th Brigade of the 18th Tank Brigade – in close coordination with Liwaa Suqour Al-Sahra (Desert Hawks Brigade) and the National Defense Forces (NDF) – imposed full control over the village of Al-Bayarat after a violent battle with the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS).

Following the capture of Al-Bayarat, the Syrian Arab Army’s 67th Brigade and their allies advanced to nearby Al-Dawah, where they were confronted by a large ISIS force inside the village’s northwestern sector.

Not long after entering Al-Dawah, the Syrian Armed Forces captured at least half of the village following an intense battle with ISIS.

In addition to entering Al-Dawah on Thursday, the Syrian Armed Forces also advanced to the Palmyra Quarries after retreating from this area during ISIS’ counter-offensive last month.

With their gains on Monday, the Syrian Armed Forces are now 2.5 km away from the ancient city of Palmyra’s western gates; this is the closest the government forces have been since their massive retreat from the area.

According to a military source in east Homs, the recent gains in the Palmyra countryside are only part of the preliminary offensive; this battle is expected to intensify in the coming weeks as several units from the Syrian Arab Army pour into this desert front.