The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) is currently deploying additional forces to the Deir Ezzor Airport besieged by ISIS terrorists. Loyalist sources published pictures showing the relocation of dozens of soldiers to the airbase. Several sources talked about a noticeable increase in Russian and Syrian supply drops across the city of Deir Ezzor and its airport.
The efforts aimed at increasing a manpower of government forces involved in the battle of Deir Ezzor indicate that the Syrian military could seek to launch an offensive in order to re-establish control over the Deir Ezzor areas lost to ISIS last year.
Meanwhile, ISIS mobilized many fighters in western Deir Ezzor following the US Special Forces operation in the Hummat al-Tabny area. ISIS fighters set up several checkpoints and deployed armored vehicles armed with anti-aircraft guns.
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced the formation of a new faction named “Fursan al-Jazira” meaning “The Knights of the Island” in the village of Al-Zaidi that is located in Deir Ezzor’s countryside. The newly-formed faction is expected to participate in the expected SDF offensive on Deir Ezzor.