Syria: SAA makes major gains in Eastern Hama

The Syrian Arab Army (SAA), backed by the paramilitary group ’Desert Hawks’ and assisted by the National Defence Forces (NDF) and members of the Liwa Al-Quds brigade, made major gains in Eastern Hama in the battle against the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS; formerly ISIS/ISIL), Thursday. The pro-government forces reportedly recaptured the Um Tweineh, al-Hardaneh and al-Qatshiyah villages from IS during the offensive. The SAA and its allies launched a fresh offensive against IS in Eastern Hama earlier i