FILE IMAGE: Sputnik/ Mikhail Voskresenskiy
On April 4, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) launched a limited operation to reconnect the government-held areas in the Deir Ezzor provincial capital. On April 5, the SAA advanceed in the cemetery area westnorth of Deir Ezzor airport capturing many ISIS points there.
#خاص
مشاهد للاشتباكات بين الجيش السوري وحلفائه مع تنظيم داعش بمحيط منطقة المقابر على المحور الجنوبي لمدينة دير الزور#الاعلام_الحربي_المركزي pic.twitter.com/NpnW8d4Bpg— الاعلام الحربي مركزي (@C_Military1) April 5, 2017
According to sources within the SAA, over 60 ISIS fighters were killed during the operation so far. The Syrian and Russian air forces have carried up a number of airstrikes hitting ISIS targets in Hwijat Saquer, the block factory, thecemetery area, the Al Thardah mountain and in the neighborhood of Hwiqah.
In turn, ISIS claimed killing of 20 Syrian soldiers in the last two days.
According to pro-government sources, the SAA sent over 400 soldiers to support defenders of the Deir Ezzor airport last week. Meanwhile, ISIS moved a notable part of its forces to al-Bukmal city, Raqqah and the desert areas of Iraq and Syria.
We recall ISIS was able to capture this strategic area in the beginning of 2017 dividing SAA units in the Deir Ezzor neighborhoods and the airport.
Over 100 thousand civilians live under the ISIS siege in Deir Ezzor protected by the SAA. Government troops and civilians can only receive aid devlivered via air by Russian and Syrians planes.
Good to see some movement here to link up to the airfield. Hopefully their are many Daesh DEAD in the cemetery.
Nice job SAA!!!