Pro-government forces in Syria were ambushed in the western part of Deir Ezzor Province by ISIS fighters, with 13 pro-government fighters slain and more wounded.
The troops were sweeping the area around Masrib for rebels. This area of course is one of the desert regions that ISIS fighters have been camping out in for years now, and they use that as an opportunity to ambush any government forces in the area.
Since their effective defeat, ISIS has been trying to reestablish itself out of these areas. They have enough fighters, seemingly, but never seem to be able to take over any meaningful territory, and quick reactions tend to chase them back into hiding.
While it’s not clear how big the reaction will be, most of these attacks are followed by an influx of troops, and heavy Russian airstrikes trying to wipe out a good number of ISIS fighters. Either way, the group’s remnants are so huge that they won’t really be wiped out.
When can we stop believing in “desert people”?
Syria is small. There is just one place these groups can hide in Der Azzor. It is in the former Al-Rukban refugee camp. It is next to US base at Al-Tanf. US does not deny that there are militants there! The description of these militants is — some unspecified anti-government group presumably trained by US to “protect the border”.
Likely story.
I would like us to start a project, Identify any location in Der Azzor that could hide a force of size mentioned in the article.
Identify a location that is OUTSIDE of US controlled de-conflicting zone of 50 miles radius around Al-Tanf. The location cannot be too far from gas/food/water supplies, and has sufficient shelter to house people, vehicles, weapons,
Let us not assume that any part of Der Azzor is either Government or SDF controlled for now. Just look at the province. Let us see f we can find their location.