The Syrian Arab Army’s 104th Airborne Brigade of the Republican Guard downed a reconnaissance drone that is believed to have belonged to the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) in the Deir Ezzor Governorate. The drone was spotted over the Deir Ezzor Cemetery around 7 A.M. in Damascus Time, when soldiers received orders to bring the unidentified aircraft down. The reconnaissance drone was likely capturing footage of the SAA’s positions, as ISIS militants have been unable to penetrate the 104th Brigade’s defenses in Deir Ezzor, despite multiple attacks on their fortifications in the provincial capital.

ISIS stormed the Syrian Arab Army’s defenses around 11 P.M. Damascus Time at Jabal Al-Sha’ar in the eastern part of the Homs Governorate, infiltrating from the south and capturing some areas inside the Al-Sha’ar Gas Fields. Initially, ISIS was successful in breaching the SAA’s frontlines, killing 18 soldiers (8 SAA; 9 NDF; 1 Mouqawama Souri) and wounding 11 others. According to a military source, over 30 ISIS militants are believed to have been killed in the battle, but he was not able to confirm the exact total as the battle is still ongoing.

The SAA was able to regroup and repel the ISIS offensive, retaking areas captured by the latter around 9 A.M. Fighting is still ongoing at the Al-Sha’ar Gas Fields; however, the Syrian Arab Army has countered the ISIS attack and attempting to reestablish full security over Jabal Al-Sha’ar.

source