The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) is preparing to launch an operation from the city of Palmyra to capture the town of Sukhnah, located on the road of Palmyra-Deir Ezzor about 50 km east of Palmyra.
The goal of the operation is to set a foothold for a further advance on the key Syrian city of Deir Ezzor besieged by ISIS terrorists.
On Friday, the Russian Defense Ministry also confirmed that government forces, backed up by the Russian Aerospacce Forces, will develop the advance west of Palmyra.
This liberation of the city of Sukhnah can be considered as the first phase of a broader effort aimed at lifting the siege from the SAA forces in the city of Deir Ezzor.
According to reports, large reinforcements from the SAA’s Tiger Forces have moved from the eastern Aleppo countryside and the northern Hama countryside to the area east of Palmyra. The Tiger forces will support Al-Ashaer forces and the 5th Assault Corps stationed in Palmyra in the expected operation.
The Russian Aerospace Forces’ warplanes and attack helicopters will provide an air support to Syrian forces during the operation, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.