A major ground offensive to defeat Islamic State in Eastern Syria is nearing its end, the Russian Defense Ministry has said. Supported by the Russian Air Force, Syrian troops are making steadfast advances along the west bank of the Euphrates river.
The Syrian Army is advancing through the Euphrates valley along the river’s west bank in a bid to drive out Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) from the east of the country, the Russian military said on Thursday. “Syrian army units led by General Suheil al-Hassan and supported by the Russian Air Force are chasing and destroying terrorist groups in the Euphrates valley, moving forward along the river’s west bank,” the statement said.
The Russian military said the west bank of the Euphrates river will soon be fully liberated by government forces, effectively defeating the last remaining IS units controlling land in eastern Syria.
It added General Suheil’s assault troops have played a vital role in liberating the cities of Aleppo, Deir ez-Zor, Al-Mayadeen and Abu-Kamal as well as dozens of towns in Syria’s Homs and Hama provinces.
Meanwhile, life is steadily returning to normal in Abu-Kamal and Al-Mayadeen, previously freed by the Syrian army, the Defense Ministry said.
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