Alwaght- The Syrian army has made significant advances against ISIS in north eastern Syria, liberating 22 villages and farms from the terrorist group near Maskanah, the last major ISIS-held town in Aleppo province, as well as a mountainous territory to the east of the road linking Damascus to Aleppo.
The town of Maskanah is located on the western banks of the Lake Assad in Aleppo province some 10 km from the provincial border with Raqqa.
The army said it had captured the northeastern and central portions of a mountain range to the east of the Khanaser-Ithriya road. "It certainly widens the circle of security around the Damascus-Aleppo road," a military source told Reuters.
The Khanaser-Ithriya road is the only government-controlled route linking Aleppo to other government-held cities of western Syria. Sections of the main highway to Aleppo, which runs through western Syria, remain in rebel hands.
Securing the strategic road that has often come under ISIS attack, helps army to secure a critical lifeline for the government.
Syrian army backed by popular forces have stepped up attacks on ISIS terrorists on several fronts in recent weeks as a "de-escalation" deal brokered by Russia, Iran and Turkey has reduced fighting in western Syria.
