Russian satellite images show ISIS preparing for massive offensive in Al-Salamiyah: Map

According to an Al-Masdar battlefield correspondent in Damascus, the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) is preparing for a large-scale offensive to capture the strategic city of Al-Salamiyah after launching preliminary assault in the Hama Governorate’s southeastern countryside on Saturday afternoon. The Al-Masdar correspondent cited a Syrian military intelligence report about a large transfer of ISIS fighters from the Iraqi city of Mosul to the Al-Raqqa Governorate. The report was based on the information provided by their Russian military advisers, who cited satellite images of ISIS’ massive concentration of terrorists to the southeastern Hama front. ISIS’ decision to attack the Al-Salamiyah countryside instead of another volatile front is likely due to their need to alleviate the pressure being put on the Tabaqa Military Airport and east Aleppo by the Syrian Armed Forces. Following the recapture of Khanasser and the reopening of their only supply route to the Aleppo Governorate, the Syrian Armed Forces once against advanced along the Salamiyah-Raqqa Highway towards the Tabaqa Military Airport in the Al-Raqqa Governorate. Currently, the Syrian Arab Army’s 555th Brigade of the 4th Mechanized Division is positioned at the outskirts of Zakiyah village; if captured, they will have once again reentered the Al-Raqqa Governorate.