The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and its allies are pushing into ISIS territory at an alarming, almost reckless speed. No wonder the Saudis are desperate to enter the fight:

Moments ago in the Al-Raqqa countryside, the Syrian Arab Army’s 555th Brigade of the 4th Mechanized Division – in close coordination with the National Defense Forces (NDF), Liwaa Suqour Al-Sahra (Desert Hawks Brigade), Fouj Al-Joulan (Golani Regiment), and the pro-government Palestinian militia “Liwaa Al-Quds) – imposed full control over several hills surrounding the imperative village of Zakiyah along the Salamiyah-Raqqa Road.

According to a military source in the Al-Salamiyah District, the Syrian Armed Forces established control over several small hilltops that surround the village of Zakiyah in southern Al-Raqqa after a fierce battle with the so-called “Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham” (ISIS) this morning.

A map of the the SAA’s advance:

    

Next stop: Raqqa

Meanwhile, Turkey continues to shell these very forces that are advancing towards Raqqa. Damascus has filed a formal complaint with the UN regarding Turkey’s blatant act of aggression.