AhlulBayt News Agency - On Monday 2nd May, government troops retook the Industrial District from ISIS fighters who had attempted to advance towards Deir Ezzor Airbase from the northern flank.
Meanwhile, another major battle took place at the neighbouring al-Sina’ah district which was captured by the-called Islamic State militants 2 weeks ago but since almost entirely retaken.
With government forces in control of 80% of the district at daybreak, ISIS launched a morning offensive and managed to captured a dozen building blocks.
However, during yesterday afternoon the Syrian Arab Army’s (SAA) Republican Guard launched a counter-offensive which had them seize the entire al-Sina’ah district and simultaneously the neighbouring Industrial Zone.
ISIS was unable to keep control of al-Sina’ah due to Major General Issam Zahreddine commanding the battle from the strategic al-Tharda Mountain which overlooks the district.
The initial ISIS thrust into al-Sina’ah did nevertheless cause the death of 10 government troops while an SAA source said they had killed approximately 20 ISIS fighters in return.
With the SAA in control of both al-Sina’ah district and the Industrial District, they are now set to strike towards the Old Airport neighbourhood where government troops did a special demolishing operation 3 days ago.
If the SAA can capture the entire western bank of the Euphrates in Deir Ezzor city, this would have their forces entrenched until Tiger Forces advancing from Palmyra can relieve the besieged troops held up in the provincial capital of Deir Ezzor.
/129
