Islamic State launched a large-scale attack in eastern Syria yesterday, in an attempt to secure another stronghold as it loses territory in neighbouring Iraq.

Jihadists stormed and captured parts of Deir Ezzor, tightening the siege around some 150,000 residents in government-controlled areas of the city.

The fighting began on Friday, when Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil) cut off roads to the nearby airport.

At least 82 people have been killed so far in the fighting, which is the heaviest in the city for a year, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Isil has held most of Deir Ezzor and the surrounding area since 2015, but the government had until now retained control of the airport and neighbouring districts in the city.

Deir Ezzor, located on the Euphrates river just south of the group’s self-declared capital Raqqa and next to Iraq, is strategically important for the group.