Syrian Arab Army (SAA) forces reportedly advanced inside the Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS; ISIL) held region of Deir ez-Zor, Thursday, as they endeavoured to break the militants’ siege of the strategically vital city.
Deir ez-Zor has been under siege by ISIS since the group launched an offensive on the city in May 2015. Some 125,000 civilians reportedly live in the city under dire humanitarian conditions.
The SAA have reportedly advanced inside Deir ez-Zor from various axes and in the last few days have succeeded in destroying ISIS dens and equipment.