On late Sunday night, the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) launched a surprise offensive in the southern part of the Al-Hasakah Governorate, attacking the Syrian Arab Army (SAA), National Defense Forces (NDF), and the Al-Ba’ath Battalions at a number of villages in the process of this assault.

Firefights broke-out at 11:30 P.M. Damascus Time on Sunday night, when ISIS militants stormed the villages of Rad Shaqra, Al-Hool, and Tal Tanayneer, while another contingent attacked the Al-Hasakah International School and Oil Factory in the southeastern part of the province.

ISIS was initially successful in gaining ground on Jisr Abyad Road; however, after intense clashes and heavy losses, the militants were forced to withdrawal from Jisr Abyad, leaving it to the SAA and NDF to take control of this ISIS stronghold in the southeastern countryside of Al-Hasakah

As the SAA and NDF forestalled ISIS in the southeast, the latter was forced to concede defeat at the villages of Al-Misayteer and Al-Daqoudiyah; thus, leaving them to be taken by the Syrian Armed Forces without any resistance from the enemy combatants nearby.

In addition to their capture of 3 villages, the SAA and NDF were able to secure the Al-Hasakah International School and Oil Factory, despite fierce assaults from the militants of ISIS.

According to a military source, ISIS’ offensive was poorly executed and suffered as many as 40 casualties during the firefights with the SAA and NDF at Al-Hasakah.