BEIRUT, LEBANON (7:00 P.M.) – The Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL/IS/Daesh) carried out a deadly ambush in the southwestern countryside of the Palmyra Governorate this week.
According to reports from the Palmyra area, the Islamic State ambushed a Syrian Army convoy that was traveling just southwest of the ancient city.
Some reports claim as many as 20 soldiers killed during the assault, while a pro-government activist told Al-Masdar that these figures are incorrect and highly exaggerated by the enemy.
The Syrian Army did send reinforcements to the Palmyra region, but these soldiers will be deployed around the Palmyra-Deir Ezzor Highway to ensure its security.
The Syrian government is hoping to reopen the imperative international highway that links Damascus and Baghdad.
However, in order to do so, the Syrian military must secure the highway and prevent the Islamic State from carrying out their sabotage missions, which often prove costly for the government.
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