Fierce clashes are still underway in areas nearby and at the outskirts of Al-Sukhnah in the Syrian desert in the far eastern countryside of Homs, between ISIS and regime forces. The clashes follow a large-scale offensive by ISIS since early morning, in order to advance and capture the area, amid confirmed reports about more casualties in the ranks of both parties.

Meanwhile, Russian jets are attempting to expelling the attack, since they have executed dozens of airstrikes since morning, targeting ISIS positions there.

Observatory activists documented earlier this morning gross human losses in the ranks of both sides. 18 regime soldiers and loyalists, and 11 ISIS members were killed in today’s clashes, while unconfirmed reports suggested there were more casualties.

Since the 24th of March 2019, SOHR has documented the killing of at least 401 regime soldiers and loyalists of Syrian and non-Syrian nationalities, including at least two Russians, and 75 Iranian-backed militiamen of non-Syrian nationalities. All were killed in attacks, bombings and ambushes by the “Islamic State”, west of Euphrates in the deserts of Deir Ezzor, Homs, and Al-Suwaidaa.

Also four civilians working in gas fields, two shepherds and four other people were killed and documented by SOHR in the same period, from late March 2019 until today. They were killed in attacks by ISIS cells. While 135 ISIS members were also killed in attacks and bombardment in the same period.