THE Syrian army is launching a new push to retake eastern deserts after regaining full control of the main road from Damascus to Palmyra for the first time since it was lost in 2014.

Operation Grand Dawn will aim to drive Isis from the east of Homs province and neighbouring Deir Ezzor, marching to the Euhphrates river and the long border with Iraq.

Major advances on Thursday evening supported by Russian air strikes pushed Isis fighters out of desert territory spanning 1,100 square miles, putting the direct road from the capital to Palmyra back into the hands of the Syrian government.