The Syrian army vowed to continue its operations against ISIS even though the U.S. led coalition had started its offensive against the terror group. The government's statement came after U.S. planes downed two Syrian aircraft in just two weeks over the deconfliction zone near American forces in Syria.
What is the status of the Syrian offensive against ISIS?
According to reports coming from Assad's forces, government troops have taken the town of Resafa, which is a major town that lies between the besieged city of Raqqa and the American base in Al-Tanf.
The occupation of the city effectively cuts the opportunity of the U.S. led coalition to completely own the Eastern Syrian desert.
The Syrian government had also taken the strategic city of Palmyra and is now pushing east through the roads towards the Deir ez-Zor area on the Euphrates river, which is a major crossing point with Iraq. ISIS fighters have been on the retreat as Assad's forces plowed through large areas of territory once held by the jihadists. The massive advance of Assad's forces show the growing weakness of the terrorist group and how easily they can be defeated.
The success of Assad's forces can be attributed to the massive support provided by the Russian military, especially during the offensive to wrestle Syrian lands from ISIS occupation..
However, the only hindrance for Syria to completely liberate its country from ISIS oppression is the United States. Operatives of the U.S. military have created a deconfliction zone, where Assad's forces are prevented to enter or face massive missile and air strikes coming from the U.S. Navy.
What will the United States do to protect its assets in Syria?
According to U.S. White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, the United States has all the right to defend itself in Syria. Though he added that lines of communication between Syria and Russia were created to avoid military blunders and mishaps.
As of the moment, the U.S.
led coalition is hard pressed on liberating the city of Raqqa from ISIS control. Raqqa is a major stronghold of the terror group and that capturing it will be a massive blow to the leadership structure of the terrorist insurgents.
U.S. policy in the Middle East is the destruction of ISIS and all terrorist groups that are affiliated with Islamist sentiments. The Iraqi army, also supported and led by the United States, is also in the process of inflicting a major blow to ISIS forces with the imminent liberation of the city of Mosul. The fight against ISIS is now gaining ground, though U.S. and Syrian relationship have yet to improve.
