ISIL’s offensive proves successful as they roll back Syrian Army troops in west Deir Ezzor
[AlMasdar] (10:15 A.M.) – The Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL/IS/Daesh) launched a large-scale counter-offensive in the Badiya Al-Sham region of western Deir Ezzor on Sunday.
The Islamic State began their assault, yesterday, by storming the Syrian Arab Army’s (SAA) positions at the northeastern and southeastern axes of the Badiya Al-Sham region.
According to a military source in Damascus, the Syrian Arab Army was forced to withdraw from the areas they recently liberated in western Deir Ezzor after their first line of defense collapsed.
As a result of this Islamic State assault, more than 25 Syrian Arab Army soldiers were killed and dozens more were wounded.
The Islamic State reportedly recaptured all of the territory they lost to the Syrian Arab Army earlier in the week.
While the Russian and Syrian air forces entered the battle late last night, the Islamic State was still able to recover all of the ground they lost in the previous days.
VIDEO: Kurdish forces clash with ISIS in eastern Syria
[AlMasdar] (3:45 P.M.) – The US-backed Kurdish militia continues fight against the Islamic State in eastern Syria amid stiff resistance from the terror group.
Backed by US and French soldiers, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are attempting to break through ISIS defense lines in Hajin and Baghuz towns of Deir Ezzor eastern countryside.
However, the extremist organization has so far managed to repel all assaults; thus keeping its bastions under control in spite of the heavy airstrikes conducted by the US coalition.
Footage released by pro-SDF media shows US and French servicemen launching mortar and artillery strikes against ISIS militants.