The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) launched, today early morning, a wide-scale offensive near Tiyas Airbase (T4) in eastern Homs, capturing several points and killing scores of Army soldiers.

The blitz granted the terror group full control over the deserted battalion, located approximately 8 km to the northwest of the Tiyas Airbase, in addition to two nearby Army checkpoints.

Some 20 government troops have been killed in the assault, weapons and vehicles seized, according to ISIS.

Al Masdar News correspondent in the area informed that the jihadi militants shelled the airbase with artillery and rocket launchers after controlling the battalion.

In July 2015, ISIS’ massively attacked the T4 in bid to capture the base. However, the offensive has been repelled.

Analysts say the organization will most likely fail to capture the airbase, but might as well disrupt the traffic of fighter jets, which conduct daily sorties against the group’s position in the nearby Shaer gas field.