The Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) has carried out a fierce assault on the provincial capital of Deir Ezzor after the Syrian Arab Army’s 104th Brigade of the Republican Guard was redeployed to the East Ghouta area of the Rif Dimashq Governorate, resulting in the decrease of manpower on this front in east Syria.

ISIS did not waste any time going on the offensive in Deir Ezzor, as they attacked the Al-Sina’a (Industrial), Al-‘Arfa, Al-Rusafa, Al-Rashidiyah, Jubeileh, Al-Kanamat, and Al-Haweeqa Quarters of the provincial capital, along with the villages of Al-Jafra and Al-Muri’iyah; this assault also included the besiegement of Sakr Island and the Deir Ezzor Military Airport.

According to a military source, the militants from ISIS were able to infiltrate into Al-Sina’a, Al-‘Arfa, and Al-Rashidiyah Quarters, taking up positions on the eastern perimeter of these areas, while the Syrian Arab Air Force (SAAF) attempted to forestall their advance with intense airstrikes.

At Al-Muri’iyah, ISIS took control of half the village after they engaged the SAA’s 137th Brigade in a series of violent clashes on Friday; this militant assault was forestalled by the irian Armed Forces before nightfall.

East of Al-Mur’iyah, the militants from ISIS were able to reverse some of the SAA’s gains at the Al-Aleesh District in Haweeja Al-Sakr, as they secured another dock on the eastern part of this island before the replacement troops regrouped and repelled the enemy combatants.

For the soldiers at the Deir Ezzor Military Airport, they experienced another sleepless night due to the multitude of ISIS attacks throughout the day on Friday; however, the soldiers protecting the airport successfully repelled the militant infiltration attempt at the eastern perimeter.

Fighting has resumed on Saturday, with ISIS attempting to take control of more territory in Deir Ezzor – clashes are still ongoing between the two parties.