Syrian Army advances into ISIS’ heartland in east Hama

Defense Forces (NDF) –launched a powerful assault inside the Al-Salamiyah District’s east sector

On Saturday afternoon in the eastern countryside of the Hama Governorate, the Syrian Arab Army’s 66th Brigade of the 11th Tank Division – backed by the National Defense Forces (NDF) –launched a powerful assault inside the Al-Salamiyah District’s east sector, capturing several sites from the so-called Islamic State Takfiri terrorists near the Al-Raqqa Governorate border.

The Syrian Armed Forces began the day by liberating the strategic hilltop of Tulaal Al-Hamkah and its nearby checkpoint, killing and wounding over 25 enemy combatants after destroying ISIS’ machine gun nest.

According to a military source inside the city of Al-Salamiyah, Tulaal Al-Hamkah is located just 12 km east of the strategic village of Tal Toot; its proximity to the ISIS stronghold of ‘Aqayrbat makes it an imperative military endeavor for the Syrian Army’s Central Command.

The recent military operations in the Hama Governorate’s eastern countryside have coincided with the Syrian Arab Army’s large-scale offensive at the strategic city of Tadmur (Palmyra) in the Homs Governorate.