The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and its allied forces succeeded in fully recapturing Al-Sukhnah (70 km east of Palmyra, Homs Province), according to the Syrian military. Footage released on Sunday shows the town in ruins after the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS; formerly ISIS/ISIL) militants were targeted by the SAA. Al-Sukhnah was used by the militants as a headquarters location, as well as a weapons and ammunition depot.
SOT, SAA military officer (Arabic): “We are now in the centre of Al-Sukhnah, which was liberated on 12th of August 2017 after an effective operation carried out by the Syrian Arab Army and the allied forces. They encircled Al-Sukhnah entirely through Mount Tantour and the Dwehkeh mountain chain. The cordon remained firm as the clearing operation began in the city. The IS terrorist organisation locations were totally destroyed along with the remaining IS fighters in the city.”
SOT, SAA commander (Arabic): “We are today in Al-Sukhnah; one of the biggest and most important strongholds of IS in Eastern Homs. Thank God; the supply road to IS, [which is] Deir Ezzor-Al-Sukhnah, was cut off. Today, from the city of Al-Sukhnah, and with the strong will of the Syrian Arab Army heroes [we will move] beyond Al-Sukhnah and to free our steadfast [people], our brothers and sisters who are besieged there, who were very brave to defend their families in Deir Ezzor.”