Two Russian forces killed by Islamic State in Badia desert

A Daesh-linked news outlet said Saturday that two Russian forces were killed by the Islamic State militants in the Badia desert in central Syria.

Amaq news agency said several Russian soldiers were also wounded in a clash erupted in al-Sukhna town in the eastern countryside of Homs city. Daesh attacked a Russian helicopter during an airdrop operation, Amaq added.

On Monday, three fighters operating in the Russian-backed Liwa al-Quds militia were also killed in a Daesh ambush near al-Sukhna.

Russia has gripped its power on most regime-held areas since 2015, taking presence in the vast Badia desert where the Islamic State militants are still controlling pockets through Homs province and eastwards to the Iraqi border, and continue to carry out deadly attacks against regime forces and allied Iranian militias.

Daesh fighters have ramped up their attacks in the past months against regime forces and allied militias.

They were expelled from their last patch of territory in eastern Syria in March 2019, but have retained a presence in the vast Badia desert.

Zaman al-Wasl has learned that the Russian forces are preparing to set up a permanent military base near the historic city of Palmyra in the middle of the Syrian desert.

The new bastion will be equipped in Mont al-Mazar, or Jabal al-Mazar, about 13 kilometers north of Palmyra, sources said.

Source: Zamanalwsl