On Wednesday morning, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and the National Defense Forces (NDF) asserted full control over the villages of Bab Al-Khayr and Al-Jamou on the southern front of the Al-Hasakah Governorate. The SAA and NDF success began when they attacked an Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) military garrison, killing scores of militants, while forcing them to retreat towards their stronghold at Tal Hamees.

On the outskirts of the Al-Hasakah District, the SAA and NDF carried out a series of operations targeting ISIS militants on Al-Hasakah-Al-Tamir Road; specifically, at the Green Junction. Several firefights were reported from the Green Junction, where ISIS militants have entrenched themselves in order to combat the SAA and NDF contingents attacking from the west. Violent clashes were also reported from the Al-Maylabiyyeh Quarter in Al-Hasakah – the NDF confronted a group of ISIS militants attempting to infiltrate from the eastern corridor.

The recent surge in SAA and NDF military activity in the Al-Hasakah Governorate is a direct result of ISIS forces spreading themselves too thin around northern Syria. Their several fronts have forced them to concentrate militants from Iraq to the Syrian front in order to continue their fight against the People’s Protection Units (YPG) and the Syrian Government forces.

At Jabal Al-Sha’ar (Poet Mountains), the SAA’s 18th Brigade of the 3rd Infantry Division has advanced to Well 105 on the outskirts of the Al-Sha’ar Gas Fields after capturing Well 107 last week. Yesterday, the ISIS field commander, Mohammad Hassan Al-Hameed, was reportedly killed at Well 105 during the SAA’s offensive; this was confirmed by ISIS media outlets.