Russian helicopters and Syrian regime drones combed Syrian airspace eight kilometers away from the war-torn nation’s borders with Jordan, reported local sources from the southwestern province of As Suwayda.
Combing operations kickstarted last Saturday against ISIS cells present in the Syrian Badia. Missions went beyond reconnaissance to bombing several locations. The explosions of bombing raids were heard in As Suwayda.
Moreover, caves in the southern parts of the Syrian Badia were raided as well. The caves are believed to be used as hideouts by ISIS militants.
Areas raided include Abu Sharehouh and Tal Sayyar. Helicopters also flew over the eastern side of Isna village in As Suwayda.
They also conducted a sweep in the As Suwayda desert, using machine guns.
Villagers residing in the eastern countryside of As Suwayda watched military helicopters fly at a low altitude over the provincial capital, also called As Suwayda.
The aircrafts were also accompanied by Russian drones.
“Syrian regime military units conducted raids and combing operations in some areas in the As Suwayda desert during the past two days, with the backing of Russian air forces,” Rayan Maarouf, a managing editor at the As Suwayda 24 network, told Asharq Al-Awsat.
“The combing operations began from several axes in the Suwayda desert,” he revealed.
According to military sources, the combing operations in the eastern and southeastern As Suwayda Badia come as a continuation of the military operations in eastern Syria to pursue ISIS terror cells.
The push in As Suwayda comes after military units have cornered ISIS cells in the desert of Homs.
There are fears that ISIS elements would flee towards other areas in the Badia.
“Ultimately, these operations seek to secure the region after a recent resurgence of suspicious movements from elements affiliated with ISIS,” a military source said.
“Combing operations will continue for several days, and will include all parts of the As Suwayda desert,” they added.
