Day 6 of the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham’s (ISIS) massive offensive in the Deir Ezzor Governorate did not have the same kind of success for the aforementioned terrorist group as their previous attacks did, thanks in large part to the influx of Russian airstrikes around the vast Euphrates River that separates the provincial capital.

In fact, for the first time since Saturday of last week, ISIS was unable to progress along any front near the provincial capital; this drastic change occurred in conjunction with the dissipation of firefights in the Al-Baghayliyah District in Deir Ezzor’s northwestern countryside.

ISIS’ inability to advance at the Deir Ezzor Military Airport paid dividends for the Syrian Arab Army soldiers fighting the terrorist group at the 137th Artillery Brigade’s headquarters near the international highway.

At around noon on Thursday, the Syrian Arab Army’s 137th Brigade of the 17th Reserve Division – in close coordination with the National Defense Forces (NDF) – launched their own counter-assault from the strategic hilltop of Tal Kroum, attacking ISIS’ defensive positions at Tal Barouk, which is located to the west of the 137th Brigade’s headquarters.

Following a violent battle that lasted almost two hours, the Syrian Armed Forces were able to impose full control over Tal Barouk, resulting in the withdrawal of all ISIS terrorists from this hilltop.

According to a military source from the Syrian Arab Army’s 1o4th Airborne Brigade of the Republican Guard, the Syrian Armed Forces reportedly lost 11 soldiers on Thursday – he was unable to confirm the number of ISIS terrorist killed.