Syrian desert | Russian jets target ISIS positions with nearly 55 airstrikes in 24 hours, killing seven and destroying vehicles, bunkers and caves
As Russian aerial operations continue to target ISIS positions in scattering areas of the Syrian desert, SOHR activists have documented nearly 54 airstrikes executed by Russian fighter jets in the past 24 hours, which targeted positions in the eastern countryside of Hama, Al-Raqqah desert, the administrative border between Al-Raqqah and Deir Ezzor, and Al-Mayadeen desert. The Russian airstrikes hit bunkers, caves and vehicles affiliated to the Islamic State which is largely prevalent in the Syrian desert, which killed seven ISIS members and destroyed several vehicles, caves and bunkers. SOHR would like to point out that the number of fatalities among ISIS may be larger, as the airstrikes hit several caves and bunkers where ISIS members holed up, so SOHR activists have not managed to verify the number of casualties caused by these airstrikes.
Yesterday, SOHR sources reported that ISIS cells unleashed an attack in the morning on positions of Iranian-backed militias in “Akhdar Mayy” area in east Al-Mayadeen desert, on the western bank of the Euphrates river in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor. According to SOHR sources, the attack resulted in the death of two militiamen and injury of seven others.
Since 24th of March 2019, SOHR has documented the killing of at least 1,358 regime soldiers and loyalists of Syrian and non-Syrian nationalities, including at least two Russians, and 149 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 861 ISIS members were also killed in attacks and bombardment in the same period.