The last 48 hours have been very tense in the provincial capital of the Deir Ezzor Governorate, as the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) has repeatedly attempted to break-through the Syrian Arab Army’s frontline defenses at the southeastern perimeter of the base.

Unlike on Wednesday, ISIS only attempted one suicide attack, which was aimed at the Syrian Arab Army’s checkpoint near the Artillery Battalion’s Housing Quarter; however, the suicide bomber’s vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) was destroyed by the checkpoint guards before it could reach its desired destination.

As ISIS attempted to advance their position from the Artillery Battalion towards the Deir Ezzor Military Base, the aforementioned terrorist group ran into a well-defended area that was swarming with soldiers from the Syrian Arab Army’s 137th Artillery Brigade of the 17th Reserve Division and the 104th Airborne Brigade of the Republican Guard.

ISIS was not able to withstand the fierce resistance from the Syrian Armed Forces near the Agricultural Building; this resulted in the terrorist group withdrawing towards the Artillery Battalion.

Not long after their withdrawal, the absent Syrian Arab Air Force (SAAF) made its first appearance in this battle, targeting ISIS’ movements at the Artillery Battalion, Al-Muri’iyah Farms, and Al-Jafra.

The prevalent airstrikes proved to be the difference maker for the Syrian Armed Forces, as the ISIS terrorists were unable to make the same push towards the Deir Ezzor Military Airport as they did the day before.

According to a military source at the Deir Ezzor Military Airport, intense firefights are still ongoing to the north of the Artillery Battalion; however, the Syrian Arab Army is in full-control of the base and at least 3 square km of territory around it.

The source further added that an estimated 100 ISIS militants (not confirmed yet) have been killed in the last 48 hours, including a number of foreign terrorists from North Africa.

Shaytat Tribesmen have issued a warning to ISIS; if any ISIS fighters are captured, they will be executed.