Syrian army fights terrorism in vast desert areas Syrian army fights terrorism in vast desert areas Damascus, Feb 23 (Prensa Latina) Units from the Syrian Arab Army tracked vast areas of the eastern Al-Badiya Al-Sharquieh desert to confront the jihadists of the terrorist organization of the Islamic State (Daesh, in Arabic). The military units, with Russian and Syrian aviation coverage, moved from several points in the desert in Hama, Homs and Deir Ezzor provinces, where large areas of Daesh groups were cleaned, said an operation commander, who was quoted by the Al Watan daily. Violent clashes occurred in the Homs desert between the army and radical detachments, and dozens of terrorists were killed, the newspaper informed.