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العربية
Assad’s forces being backed by a Russian aircover continue to advance on different fronts against Daesh in the countryside of Deir Ezzor. From Monday to Tuesday morning, they have captured the villages of Al-Massrab, Al-Tarif, Al-Buwaytiyah and the mine of salt in western Deir Ezzour, where clashes continue between both parties on the eastern outskirts of the town of Al-Tabani.
The advancement of Assad’s forces in the western countryside coincided with more gains in the eastern countryside, where they have managed to cross the Euphrates River and capture the villages of Madlum, Murat and Hatlah. The recent gains by Assad’s forces were the result of heavy clashes against Daesh in which the latter detonated three VBIEDs against advancing Assad’s forces. The intense airstrikes and artillery fire forced the organization to retreat to the villages of Khisham, Al-Sabha and Al-Bassirah.
Assad’s forces have sustained more than 25 casualties in addition to the killing of 3 Russian special forces, while the organization has lost more than 20 affiliates, including two local commanders.
The advancement of Assad’s forces north of the Euphrates River might lead to armed confrontations between the latter and the SDF who are advancing from the northern part of Deir Ezzor city. The gains of Assad’s forces in the north have forced the SDF to open new fronts towards the village of Muheimidah west of Deir Ezzor and the village of Khisham in the east with the aim of preventing Assad’s forces from approaching and reaching the Koniko gas field, which is the biggest one in the region.
New waves of civilian displacement are ongoing in villages located northeast and northwest of Deir Ezzor city due to the intense ongoing battles and airstrikes in the area.
