The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that fierce clashes are still continuing in areas in the Syrian desert between regime forces and the “Islamic State”, as a part of ongoing ISIS attacks on Al-Sukhnah desert in eastern Homs. The clashes are accompanied by airstrikes by Russian and regime jets.

During the past 48 hours, SOHR documented the killing of nine ISIS members in the clashes, air and ground strikes, while 12 regime soldiers and loyalists were also killed in the same clashes. The death toll is expected to rise because of the serious injuries of some casualties.

Since the 24th of March 2019, SOHR has documented the killing of at least 582 regime soldiers and loyalists of Syrian and non-Syrian nationalities, including at least two Russians, and 127 Iranian-backed militiamen of non-Syrian nationalities. All were killed in attacks, bombings and ambushes by the “Islamic State”, west of Euphrates in the deserts of Deir Ezzor, Homs, and Al-Suwaidaa.

Also four civilians working in gas fields, 11 shepherds and four other people were killed and documented by SOHR in the same period, from late March 2019 until today. They were killed in attacks by ISIS cells. While 221 ISIS members were also killed in attacks and bombardment in the same period.