Syria: Ground forces have made 'important gains' in fight against ISIS - Syrian Army spokesperson

Syrian Army spokesperson Ali Muaeeb said that the ground forces of the army had made significant gains in the fight against the Islamic State (IS, ISIS, ISIL) and other militant groups in the country during a press conference from Damascus on Monday. "Formations of our armed forces continue their military operations against the armed terrorist organisations. With the help of different units on the ground, under an intensified cover from the air forces, tanks and rockets, our forces have been able to make important gains on various levels in the northern rural area of Hama," Muaeeb stated, adding that "we have also been able to destroy 20 vehicles loaded with terrorists and weapons east from Tal Skek. Additionally, we have been able to confiscate a big amount of ammunition and weaponry which were in the hands of terrorists, in the northern rural area of Latakia." Muaeeb went on to detail the operations in Aleppo, saying that "units of our armed forces took control of the whole al-Hurra area after causing the terrorist group ISIS severe losses. Our units also hit the terrorist groups around Kuweyres military air base. They were also able to destroy commander spots, ammunition and weapon facilities and military vehicles." Discussing the effect on IS, the Syrian Army spokesperson said that the armed forces offensive had caused "big losses amid the lines of the terrorist organisations and destroyed their morale," adding that many of them had fled towards Turkey. Muaeeb ended the press conference by noting that "the morale of our forces is very high and they are persistent on achieving their missions according to the appointed operations."