Sources on the ground explained that Syrian army units, aided by supporting forces, established control over each of the heights of Heit, Rashid, Rawasi al-Tawal, Kurdi and Rawabi al-Tahin, in addition to Jbeil Mountain that overlooks al-Qaryatain city.
Taking control of these heights followed fierce clashes with ISIL terrorists that ended up in eliminating all of their hideouts and killing dozens of them, while the remaining terrorists fled eastward into al-Badiya (desert), according to the sources.
Afterwards, the army engineering units dismantled and removed all the mines and explosive devices, which the terrorists had planted to hinder the army’s advance in the area.
Later, in a statement to journalists from Jbeil Mountain, the general in command of the Third Division said that the army established control over the aforementioned heights after eliminating the last remaining concentrations of ISIL in the area, destroying several heavy machinegun-equipped vehicles, 3 tanks, 2 bulldozers rigged with explosives, and 12 vehicles equipped with armor-piercing machineguns.
The commander added that the army seized a solar-powered satellite broadcasting station at Jbeil Mountain and uncovered bases bearing the emblem of ISIL, in addition to seizing a number of tanks rigged with explosives and vehicles equipped with assorted machineguns.
He explained that by establishing control over these strategic heights, the army cut off ISIL supply lines and isolated al-Qaryatain city from the desert, which will serve as a springboard leading to restoring security and stability to al-Qaryatain and Palmyra (Tadmur).
On a relevant note, sources on the ground said that a number of ISIL terrorists were killed and a tank they had been using was destroyed in clashes with army units on the direction of Rawabi al-Tahin and Mahasseh to the south of Mhein town in the province.
In the meantime, media sources stated that Taha al-Dandashi, an ISIL terrorist who is nicknamed Abu Mohammad of Lebanon, was killed during army operations in the surroundings of Palmyra city.
SANA/MNA
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