On Saturday morning, the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) conducted a massive offensive to capture the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) controlled villages of ‘Ayyash and Al-Bughayliyah in the Deir Ezzor Governorate’s northwestern countryside.

Initially, ISIS was successful in breaching the Syrian Arab Army’s frontline defenses in northwestern Deir Ezzor, capturing the ‘Ayyash weapons depot and the ‘Ayyash fuel station, along with several neighborhoods near the Euphrates Hotel inside eastern Al-Bughayliyah on Saturday.

However, a swift counter-attack by the Syrian Arab Army’s 104th Airborne Brigade of the Republican Guard and the 137th Artillery Brigade of the 17th Reserve Division reversed much of ISIS’ gains on Saturday.

Undeterred by the limited success on Saturday, ISIS launched another assault the following morning, capturing the ‘Ayyash weapons depot once again, while attempting to advance past the eastern district near the Euphrates River.

Luckily, the Syrian Armed Forces were able to maintain their ground inside the eastern district and repelled the encroaching ISIS terrorists.

Once the ISIS terrorists were forestalled in northwestern Deir Ezzor, the Syrian Arab Army’s 104th and 137th Brigades were able to recapture the entire village of Al-Bughayliyah and much of the neighborhoods lost in ‘Ayyash.

According to a military source in the Deir Ezzor Military Airport, the Syrian Armed Forces were able to recapture the Jami’yah Al-Rawad Neighborhood and the Radio Broadcast Tower; these are considered to be the most important points in Al-Bughayliyah.

Currently, the Syrian Armed Forces and ISIS are engaged in a fierce battle for the ‘Ayyash weapons depot; this site has been contested for the last 48 hours, with both sides exchanging control of it several times.

In southern Deir Ezzor, ISIS has repeatedly attempted to breach the 137th Brigade’s Headquarters in Jabal Thardeh; however, they have been repelled each time – clashes still ongoing.

Meanwhile, at Tal Kroum, the Syrian Arab Army’s 137th Brigade has countered ISIS at this strategic hilltop, capturing several points surrounding it and the Deir Ezzor Military Airport.

In addition to the fighting in the southern and northern parts of Deir Ezzor, the Syrian Armed Forces and ISIS are also battling inside the Al-Rashidiyah District.