It adds that Palmyra's strategic location, at an important crossroads, will enable the Syrian government to pursue further offensive operations eastward deep into Islamic State (Daesh) territory.
In particular, the loyalist forces can be expected to push hard to relieve the besieged 104th Republican Brigade at Deir el-Zour.
The agency further notes that "with major offensive operations largely halted on a number of fronts between the rebels and the government, both Damascus and the rebellion have finally shifted the bulk of their attention toward pushing back the Islamic State (Daesh), which is not party to the cease-fire."
"Though this is objectively not the case, the Islamic State is right to fear the cease-fire effort. As long as the lull in fighting between the rebels and the government persists, the Islamic State will continue to suffer from their redirected efforts," Stratfor suggests.
What the agency forgot to mention, is that the pro-government forces have also launched an operation to seize the town of Quraytayn which is located south from the Tiyas Crossroads.
According to the International Military Review, published on the South Front analytical and intelligence website, the Syrian forces have already taken Hazm al-Gharbiyat and have been advancing on the western gates.
"In a separate development, the SAA and Hezbollah units have liberated the Air Defense Base at the village of Bala al-Kadim and the nearby Zahir Farm pushing Al-Nusra militants from this area in East Ghouta."
The Syrian forces control Haush Jarabo, making it very difficult for Jaish al-Islam, Jabhat al-Nusra and the Free Syrian Army to retreat from the pocket. If Haush Jarabo is seized by the pro-government forces, the strategic situation will become hopeless for the militants encircled there, the analysis states.
It seems that the Islamic State, as Stratfor suggests, really do have a reason to fear.