On 24 August, the Syrian Arab Army broke through the Islamic State's defenses at the Khirbat Hawi area, which is located at the southwestern axis of the Al-Safa Mountain. On 25 August, ISIL launched a counter-offensive and managed to drive back the Syrian Arab Army troops from several points they captured the previous day. At 28-29 August, the Syrian Arab Army managed to regain all lost points, along with capturing others positions from ISIL, including a strategic water dam in the Hawi Awad area.