https://southfront.org/syrian-war-report-july-31-2017-tiger-forces-enter-deir-ezzor-province/
If you’re able, and if you like our content and approach, please support the project. Our work wouldn’t be possible without your help: PayPal: southfront@list.ru or via: http://southfront.org/donate/ or via: https://www.patreon.com/southfront
Government forces, led by the Syrian Arab army (SAA) Tiger Forces liberated more villages on the west bank of the Euphrates River in Raqqah province and entered the northwestern part of Deir Ezzor province.
Last weekend, the Tiger Forces and their allies captured Muqla Saghira, Al-Rabyeh, Al-Jubayli, Salim al-Hammad, Abu Hammad and Ghanim al-Ali, Wadi Al Tarab, Tal Al-Tarab, Al-Rujum, Wadi Al Kharayj and Wadi Hamamiya. ISIS had counter-attacked near Ghanim al-Ali and allegedly destroyed 3 SAA vehicles with ATGMs and killed over 20 SAA servicemen. However, the terrorist group was not able to retake the village.
On Monday, government forces started clearing the ISIS pocket in the Sabkah area. The crossroad town of Madaan located in about 67 km from the city of Deir Ezzor besieged by ISIS will likely become the next target of the operation. The Bishri Triangle is another high priority target for the advancing government forces. Capturing these sites, the SAA will establish control over the two key road heading to Deir Ezzor from the northwestern direction.
In Deir Ezzor city, the Republican Guard repelled an ISIS attack in the Al-Makbarah area and separately cut off the ISIS supply line to the cemetery area with a 280 meters long trench trapping the terrorists between the airbase and the government-held part of the city. An intense fighting is ongoing.
A new group of tribal fighters called the Euphrates Hawks joint the government advance on Sukhna signaling that more and more members of the Syrian tribes join the ranks of the Syrian government forces. Currently government forces are clashing with ISIS terrorists southwest of the town. The SAA controls a number of important high points, including Rajm Sabboun, Mount Qulaylat, Um Khasm hills and a part of Jabal Tuntur, that allows to predict that they will be able to develop advance further in coming days.
At least 18 ISIS members, two vehicles and a fuel tanker as well as a large fuel tanks convoy were destroyed by Syrian and Russia airstrikes in the eastern Hama countryside. The Russian and Syrian air forces had intensified airstrikes in the area ahead of another upcoming attempt to reach the key ISIS defense point of Uqayribat.
According to pro-Kurdish sources, last weekend, Turkish soldiers entered the villages of Siftik Wastani, Siftik Fawqani and Bubana in northern Aleppo but were pushed to retreat after a short confrontation with the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) dominated by Kurdish militias. If true, Ankara has just been testing the US reaction to possible limited military operations against Kurdish militias in northern Syria.
Lots of contradicting reports from Syria over the last few days. Here the latest updates:
Rational for Tiger Forces’ Redeployment to Hama – Homs.
My first reaction to the news of redeployment of a larger part of the Tiger Forces to Hama/Homs was something like WTF? But as the understanding of the decision was sinking in, it makes a lot of sense. The flanks are exposed and the frontline loses are high since it is too stretched at the moment in a very long front line, should ISIS is eliminated in Hama/Homs, the frontline will become much shorter and looking east, a 30 days effective campaign that could change the game would have tremendous dividends in a major offensive toward all Euphrates river.
Hopefully the remaining TF and tribal forces on the Euphrates axis and the 5th Corps and allies on the Sukhanah-Shulah axis can continue to press forward Der ez Zor, at a reduced speed but onwards they will.”
More on Tiger Forces Redeployment.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DGAkPyfVwAA5LfX.jpg
“… This is good map indeed, it shows how important is to control Jabal Dahik to strengthen the safety perimeter on Sukhanah, one of the 3 mountains that must be controlled to advance with its back protected toward DeZ:
Jabal Dahik , Mount Bishri, Jabal Fusyyat
The redirection of attention by the Tiger Forces toward Hama/Homs will “break the legs” of ISIS, the switching fronts is a Tiger’s MO and creates havoc on enemies strategies and defenses. It is still not clear where the Tiger will hit first but I would not be surprised to see them splitting and moving south from Ithriyah-Resada road and wipe clean ISIS from the mountains thus linking Ithriyan to Palmyra, then shifting toward the inhabited area, and another TF to advance toward Uqaybat from the back door.”
“… It is confirmed, the Tiger and allies going for the main junctions south of Ithriyah-Resafa road.”
The General Situation in Daraa.
“… Zero military activity for weeks now, it is all in a stand still, lots of reconciliation talks on going, the southern front was full of cities and villages willing to reconcile but was blocked by al Qaeda terrorists most of the time. In general the mood is, for the past year or so, of tired people, looking to re start their lives as best as possible, this de escalation may be what was needed to bring sense to many, still too soon to say, but a good step.
The Russian police is everywhere, many villages and getting slowly to the borders, it is said they will be placed in al Tanf, that would be interesting to see because then we know who has to leave the place.
“… the fact is the Russian presence near the Golan Heights has basically eliminated any Israeli attack to Syria and in exchange it replaced the need to have Hizballah and IRGC in the area, so in my opinion this is what matters, no territory is being given to anyone, some peace is established maybe to heal some wounds and then a chance to reconcile.
There are indications that Jordan does not want strong al Qaeda presence on its borders, interesting that no one talks about the presence of ISIS near the occupied Golan either, but all in one with less US support to terrorists in southern Syria and more Russian presence, and maybe Jordan neutrality, order can be restored in the south in the mid-long term without more fights.
One last thought is that the southern front was needed by the terrorists since they still had hope to link up to Damascus, that “wish” is so much dead now that their simple existence to hold cities and a non continuous territory is simply not logical and not sustainable in the long run, there isn’t simply a critical mass to sustain progress, rebuilding, commerce or live an ordinary life, thus forcing them to find some sort of reconciliation at the end.”
Al Queda/ISIS Financing Dries Up.
“… Money flow to the terrorists is already shorter, the more it dries up the more reconciliation we will see. Qatar is reducing its finance of al Qaeda in Syria, but not 100%, al Qaeda continues to get money from Turkey, but much less indeed.
The southern front terrorists belong to a mix bag, al Qaeda, moderats, ISIS etc…they are 100% dependent of foreign resources (different from Idlib), local markets can not sustain the population, once the border crossing is under the Russian police and Syrian Government officials, contraband will reduce thus putting much more pressure on the terrorists, that combining with a constant reduction of money flow, the south won’t have a chance.
The vast majority of al Qaeda is located in Idlib, some 80-90% of them, the remaining affiliates are in East Ghouta and the south, I see no other option for al Qaeda but to be green bused to Idlib from Ghouta and from Quneytra/Daraa, unless Israel give them citizenship in the Golan.”