PHOTO: Syrian troops carry a rocket to fire at ISIS in Raqqa Province (Alexander Kots/ Komsomolskaya Pravda)


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An Islamic State counter-attack has pushed back an offensive by the Syrian military and militia in Raqqa Province in northern Syria.

Just over two weeks ago, the pro-Assad offensive entered the province for the first time since 2014, when ISIS overran the Taqba Airbase. It advanced east along a main route until a week ago, when it reached the Sfaiyeh roundabout, about 15 km (9 miles) south of the airbase and 65 km (40 miles) from the city of Raqqa.

On Monday, the Islamic State struck — reportedly with attacks including a series of suicide vehicle bombs — and retook part of the highway and Sfaiyeh oilfield.

ISIS’s Amaq news agency said Thawra oilfield had also been captured.

However, Eyad al-Hosain, a Syrian journalist embedded with the regime offensive, said, “A very intense attack has targeted army and allied positions in Thwara field that led to the withdrawal of troops from areas they liberated…and their retreat.”

Pro-regime activists said fighting is ongoing.

State media and regime supporters had heralded the Syrian military’s offensive, supported by Russian airstrikes, as a decisive point in the war against ISIS. They have proclaimed that pro-Assad forces will march into Raqqa, the largest city in Syria held by the Islamic State.

ISIS took control of Raqqa from Syrian rebels in autumn 2013 and consolidated their position across the province. Hundreds of regime troops were killed in battle and executed when the Islamic State captured Tabqa Airbase in August 2014.


Video: Rebels Facing Regime Assault in East Ghouta

Footage of the rebel faction Jaish al-Islam facing an offensive by the Syrian military and militia in the East Ghouta area near Damascus:

Last month, pro-Assad forces took much of the southern part of East Ghouta, assisted by rebel defense weakened by in-fighting between Jaish al-Islam and other factions.

Monday’s assault tried to seize the town of Bahariyah. Pro-rebel accounts claimed that they retook lost ground briefly occupied by the attackers.


Kerry Hails “Very Good” Dissent Cable Calling for US Military Action

US Secretary of State John Kerry has praised a “dissent channel cable” by 51 State Department personnel on US policy towards Syria, saying on Monday that he had read the memorandum and found it “very good”.

The cable, leaked to media last week, calls for US military action and support of some rebel factions as part of an effort to bring a negotiated resolution to the five-year conflict.

White House officials have played down the dissent, saying that it is “only” mid-level officials and that President Obama is unlikely to make any change in the US approach.

However, Kerry — whose calls for tougher action against President Assad have been overruled by Obama in the past — said of the document, “Yes. It’s very good. I’m going to meet with [the State Department personnel].”

State Department spokesman John Kirby later said Kerry was not publicly endorsing a policy change but had found “a well-written argument”:

Obviously, whatever views, advice or counsel he presents to the president needs to remain private.

But then also…he has made no bones about the fact that he is not content with the status quo in Syria. We are not content with the status quo in Syria.


Video: 100 Days of Protest in Idlib Town v. Jabhat al-Nusra

Video of the latest rally in Maarat al-Nu’man in Idlib Province, continuing the protest against the jihadists of Jabhat al-Nusra:

Residents have demonstrated for more than three months against Nusra, which has battled rebel factions and is seen as a threat to rights and governance in northwest Syria.


Jordanian Soldiers Killed By Car Bomb Near Border

Jordan’s Ammon News Agency reports that Jordanian soldiers were killed near the Syrian border early Tuesday morning.

An “official source at the General Command of the Jordanian armed forces” said “a number of troops” were killed or wounded about 5:30 a.m. by a car bomb near a refugee camp. He said a statement will later give details.


Video: Russia Incendiary Bombs on Aleppo Province

Footage of incendiary bombs, dropped by Russian warplanes, exploding over Aleppo Province:

In its escalation of airstrikes across northwest Syria since April, Russia has increasingly turned to night-time attacks with incendiary munitions.

International conventions ban attacks with incendiary substances, such as white phosphorus and napalm, on civilian areas.