The Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) launched a large-scale offensive at the provincial capital of Al-Hasakah on Wednesday, targeting the Syrian Armed Forces’ defensive positions at the southern and western sectors of the city for the fourth time this year; however, unlike their previous offensives, the terrorist group has achieved considerable success.
As a result of their persistency, ISIS has been able to penetrate through the Syrian Arab Army’s defensive barriers at the Al-Nashwa District after sleeper cells inside the city provided the terrorist group with not only invaluable intel, but also, access to the enemy’s frontlines that proved vital in their successful offensive.
Following their capture of the Al-Nishwa and Al-Liliyah Districts, the militants from ISIS focused their attention on the Al-Hasakah Central Prison, where they were met with fierce resistance from the SAA’s 123rd Brigade of the 3rd Armored Division the National Defense Forces (NDF), and the Al-Ba’ath Battalions(Kata’eb Al-Ba’ath”).
Unable to break-into the Al-Hasakah Central Prison, ISIS was forced to withdrawal to the Al-Liliyah District, leaving the Syrian Armed Forces in position to counter the terrorist Al-Liliyah and Al-Nishwa; this would come to fruition on Friday morning, when the Syrian Armed Forces recaptured Al-Liliyah and the eastern corridor of Al-Nishwa.