Government forces launch security campaign in Syria’s Homs
DEIR EZ-ZOR, Syria (North Press) – The Syrian government forces launched on Monday a campaign for three days to comb the countryside of the town of Sukhnah in eastern Homs Governorate, central Syria, after losing contact with a group of their own forces two days ago.
A military source from Division 18, affiliated with the government forces, stated that the army command has issued orders to several brigades and battalions to begin a sweeping campaign in Sukhna countryside starting on Monday and ending next Thursday, due to the loss of contact with a group consisting of five soldiers and two officers while they were on patrol deep in the area.
The source added that the forces participating in the campaign will utilize all types of light, medium, and heavy weapons, as well as helicopter support. A complete curfew will be imposed on the town of Sukhna and the surrounding villages.
For the past two days, the government forces have intensified their checkpoints and patrols in Sukhna, conducted numerous house raids, and detained shepherds in an attempt to locate the missing officers and soldiers, according to the source.
The Iranian-backed factions and Syrian government forces control vast areas of the Syrian Desert and eastern Deir ez-Zor countryside, which continue to witness increasing activity by Islamic State (ISIS).