The Syrian Army and its allies have reached Deir Ezzor, breaking the Islamic State’s nearly three-year long siege on parts of the city.
Syrian state television reported that governent forces reached the eastern part of Deir Ezzor from the west, and the ISIS defenses collapsed.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Russian military launched a number of cruise missiles at the city ahead of the SAA advance. Sailors aboard the Russian naval frigate Admiral Essen carried out the strikes against ISIS targets in the suburbs of al-Sholah, the Defense Ministry said.
#SYRIA Admiral Essen frigate launched #Kalibr cruise missiles against ISIS objects near Deir ez-Zor pic.twitter.com/azHAIii07g
— Минобороны России (@mod_russia) September 5, 2017
Government-held parts of Deir Ezzor city have been under siege by ISIS since late 2014. Around 90,000 civilians are believed to still be inside the city.
