This follows a period of back and forth shelling between the jihadists and the Syrian Army, as neither has recently attempted to advance. Daesh’s last attempt at a military advance was in October when the group tried to capture the eastern district of Al-Hawiqah, an area partially under government control at the time.
The terrorist group suffered substantial losses in the ensuing three-hour battle with the Al-Qassem group, also known as the Republican Guard, and the Syrian Arab Army's 119th Regiment, with at least 17 Daesh members reportedly killed.
