Russian warplanes launched several airstrikes on the countryside of Syria’s central Homs province, targeting strongholds of the Islamic State group (ISIS).
This comes after ISIS militants made gains east of Homs after clashes with Syrian regime’s army forces.
ISIS militants were able to infiltrate into headquarters of the Syrian army on the Palmyra road east of Homs on Monday.
“At least 23 regime forces were killed at the hands of ISIS fighters after the group infiltrated into an army base in the eastern countryside of Homs province,” local media activist Omar al-Hussein told ARA News.
“Russian fighter jets backed the Syrian regime forces to push ISIS back by bombing ISIS fighting positions,” the source reported.
A Syrian army officer confirmed that at least nine ISIS fighters were killed under the Russian strikes.
“The terror group eventually withdraw from eastern Homs after suffering losses in manpower and equipment,” the official told ARA News in Homs. “Nine terrorists were killed and five others were taken as hostages by the army forces. The airstrikes also destroyed three ISIS armoured vehicles.”
aranews.net
