(FNA) -- The source reported that thousands of army men and Hezbollah combatants have entered the countryside of Palmyra city to resume a fresh phase of one of the army's greatest operation in Homs in recent years.

The source added that although the army troops have launched their operation to liberate Arak energy field, their main mission will start with attack on al-Sukhnah.

Sukhnah is located along the main highway to the Deir Ezzur province and it is ISIS's vital bastion in central Syria because of its numerous gas and oil fields.

Relevant reports said on Friday that the pro-government forces resumed their military operation in the Eastern countryside of Palmyra in Homs province, hitting ISIS' positions along the main road to the key town of al-Sukhnah.

According to reports, the Syrian Army, backed by the Russian Air Force, managed to recapture several points in the region.

In the meantime, army generals underlined the strategic importance of al-Sukhnah, and say the army forces will soon intensify their attacks on ISIS to drive them out of al-Sukhnah and move towards Deir Ezzur.