According to the London-based monitoring group, the terrorist group’s cells targeted several posts and checkpoints of government forces around the Homs desert on February 19. The region lays between eastern Homs and western Deir Ezzor.
The Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) responded to the attacks by stepping up its airstrikes on ISIS cells and hideouts in the central region.
“Russian jets continue their airstrikes on various positions in the Syrian desert, executing at least 130 airstrikes, in the last 24 hours, targeting ISIS positions in the Aleppo-Hama-Raqqa triangle and the deserts of Deir Ezzor and Homs,” the SOHR said in its report.
The Russian airstrikes on Syria’s central region killed 21 terrorists, according to the SOHR. At least twelve of them were eliminated on February 19.
ISIS cells in the central region reportedly receive supplies from US-backed fighters based in the southeastern area of al-Tanf.
So far, intense operations by Syrian government forces and the VKS have prevented ISIS cells from expanding their influence in the central region. Nevertheless, more efforts are needed to contain the growing threat.
source:southfront.org