ISIS faces pressure on multiple fronts in Syria and Iraq:
- in the provinces of Deir Ezzor as well as in the city of Raqqah in Syria;
- in the areas of Hawija and Rawah in Iraq.
Recently, Syrian government forces have liberated a large area northwest of Deir Ezzor city, inclding Maadan town, from ISIS and continued their military operation against ISIS in the countryside of Deir Ezzor city.
The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are still struggling with the ISIS defense in Raqqah city. The SDF is also advancing north of Deir Ezzor with an aim to seize oil and gas infrastructure on the east bank of the Euphrates. On September 25, the SDF accused Russia of striking its positions near the Koniku gas factory in the al-Taybeh area.
Meanwhile, the Iraqi Army and the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) have liberated 120 villages in the Hawija area from ISIS. Now, they are developing the second stage of their operation in the area.
Firefights have been also reported in the area of Rawah town located on the Deir Ezzor-Baghdad highway.
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