News / Syria

Syrian forces liberate more districts in Dayr al-Zawr city

Thursday, 02 November 2017 7:17 PM [ Last Update: Friday, 03 November 2017 7:50 AM ]

A Syrian pro-government fighter watches as smoke rises from buildings following an counter-terrorism airstrike in the eastern city of Dayr al-Zawr on October 31, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

Syrian army soldiers and allied fighters have managed to wrest control over three more neighborhoods in the eastern city of Dayr al-Zawr in their latest push against Daesh terrorists.

Syria’s official SANA news agency announced the recapture of the al-Jbiliah, al-Abed, al-Jamaiat districts on Thursday.

A Syrian military source told SANA that the army units had inflicted heavy losses on terrorists’ ranks and equipment.

Earlier reports said the Syrian troops had "tightened the siege" on Daesh militants in in Dayr al-Zawr city while the takfirist elements were using loudspeakers to urge their comrades "not to run away from the fighting, and to kill any member who tried to escape or surrender.”

Meanwhile, the so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) confirmed the government forces’ gains in Dayr al-Zawr, the capital of the oil-rich province of the same name.

The UK-based monitoring group said Daesh now controlled less than five percent of the city amid advances by pro-Damascus fighters under Russia’s air cover.

If the Syrian government forces “succeed in continuing this offensive, they could bring an end to IS (Daesh)'s presence (in the city) in hours or days," the SOHR added.

This photo, released by Syria's official SANA news agency on September 3, 2017 shows Syrian forces standing next to a sign in that reads, "Dayr al-Zawr welcomes you," in the eastern city. (Via AP)

Daesh once held large parts of Dayr al-Zawr city, and for almost three years laid siege to other areas under government control.

In early September, Syrian forces broke the Dayr al-Zawr siege.

Daesh has recently retreated from much of the territory under its control amid sweeping advances by Syrian soldiers and allied fighters on the battlefield.

Russia has been conducting air raids against Daesh and other terrorist groups inside Syria at the Damascus government’s request since September 2015. The strikes have helped Syrian forces advance against anti-Damascus militants.

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