"Taking into account the pace of the Syrian Army's offensive, terrorists are expected to deliver no stiff resistance, including in Deir ez-Zor. Their supply routes have been cut off. Moreover, Russian aviation continues its airstrikes on Daesh," Dmitry Egorchenkov, expert on the Middle East with the Institute for Strategic Studies and Prognosis of the Moscow-based RUDN University, told Radio Sputnik.
According to Egorchenkov, total victory over the terrorist group is now just around the corner.
"Their defeat is already in sight, I would say. But it will depend on several factors, in particular supply support, operations planning and resources of the Syrian Army. There is a vast desert area in which special attention should be paid to operations planning. On the other hand, I don’t think there is a chance for Daesh to receive any additional or financial support," Egorchenkov suggested.
"The liberation of the central part of Syria from terrorists is nearing its end," Col. Gen. Sergei Rudskoy, the chief of the Russian General Staff's Main Operational Directorate, said.
Rudskoy added that the province of Aleppo has already been entirely liberated.
"There have been serious changes in Syria over the past month. Syrian government troops with the support of the Russian Aerospace Forces have achieved serious successes and brought substantial losses to a large group of Daesh in central Syria. Aleppo province has been fully liberated from terrorists," he said.
Moreover, a large Daesh force has now been encircled in the strategic town of Akerbat, in Hama Province. The liberation of Akerbat is expected to open the way for a full-scale offensive on Daesh, including in Deir ez-Zor, the final major stronghold of the terrorist group in Syria.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the Syrian Army is currently advancing on the besieged city of Deir ez-Zor from three directions. Rudskoy said that the liberation of Deir ez-Zor will result in the defeat of the main terrorist forces.
