Syrian army, allied troops shifting entire focus to Deir ez-Zor battle

Syrian army, allied troops shifting entire focus to Deir ez-Zor battle

PanARMENIAN.Net - Having fully clearing all of the eastern Homs pocket from the Islamic State militants, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and allied forces are now shifting their entire focus towards the strategic city of Deir ez-Zor, Al-Masdar News reports.

The liquidation of the Islamic State’s bastion in eastern Homs Governorate has released many thousands of army troops, virtually all of them from first-rate formations including armored divisions and Republican Guard units.

These troops had originally been tasked to maintain positions along the Ithriyah to Resafa highway and, until recently, also involved in holding the siege on IS forces entrapped in eastern Homs.

Furthermore, many paramilitary forces – namely units of the National Defence Forces whose troops originate from Homs – are now also free to partake in the advance on Deir Ezzor in support of the SAA.

Pro-government forces stationed in the city of Deir ez-Zor have been besieged by IS for about three years now. About 120,000 civilians, crammed into the northern districts of the city, live under the protection of government-led forces.

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