Brig Gen Issam Zahreddine has been killed in an IED explosion during the ongoing operation against ISIS in Saqr Island norheast of Deir Ezzor city, the National Defense Forces (NDF) media wing reported on October 18.
If confirmed, this will be a notable blow to the entire government forces leadership involved in the operation in the Deir Ezzor countryside.
Brig Gen Zahreddine is a hero of the battle for Deir Ezzor, that was leading government troops defending the city from ISIS terrorists over the past years. He’s a member of the Syrian Republican Guard.