Syrian Army to Continue Advance on Deir ez-Zor, Raqqa - Assad's Adviser

Syrian government forces will continue to advance against Daesh in the direction of the terrorist group's stronghold of Raqqa, Syrian President Bashar Assad's adviser Bouthaina Shaaban said Friday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The Syrian army is currently advancing against Daesh on the western bank of the Euphrates, while the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are in control of the eastern bank and are advancing on Raqqa.

"The Syrian forces will continue to advance in other areas, including Deir ez-Zor and in the direction of Raqqa," Shaaban said at a press conference at the Rossiya Segodnya news agency.

Daesh captured Raqqa in January 2014 and the city has served as its center of operations since.

The Syrian government-held city of Deir Ez-Zor has been under siege from Daesh since July 2014.