The Syrian regime forces have announced that they have killed a major commander in ISIS following a battle for the control of a desolate volcanic landscape called Al-Safa near Suweida.
Abu Hajer Al-Shishani, a Chechen “emir” of ISIS, was killed in the battle for the volcano. Shishani is one of many Chechens who joined ISIS in 2014 and often made up the backbone of their best units and some of their commanders. Abu Omar al-Shishani, an ISIS commander, was killed in 2016 and his brother was killed in 2018. The nickname “Shishani,” which means “Chechen,” is used for many Chechen fighters.
The Syrian regime offensive comes as the US has also launched a new push along the Euphrates valley near Hajin to defeat ISIS. Confronted on both sides of the Euphrates, ISIS is increasingly pressured to surrender what ground it still holds.
