Syrian Army, Russian Warplanes Eliminate Major Daesh Unit in Euphrates Valley

The Syrian army supported by Russian warplanes has conducted a major operation to eliminate Daesh's most battle-tested and well-armed unit in Tell Ghanem al-Ali on Euphrates River, the Russian Defense Ministry said Sunday.

Over 800 Daesh terrorists, 13 tanks, 39 pickup trucks equipped with large-caliber machine guns and 9 mortars and artillery guns have been destroyed, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

"On August 27, 2017, the [Syrian] government forces' units have annihilated Daesh's most battle-tested and well-armed group with massive support of the Russian Aerospace Forces in the Euphrates River valley near the city of Tell Ghanem al-Ali."

"Currently, a grouping of Syrian government troops is rapidly carrying out an offensive along the eastern shore of the Euphrates River, moving toward Deir ez-Zor. The goal is to unblock this city and destroy the last stronghold of Daesh in Syria," the Defense Ministry said.

The Syrian army and self-defense units supported by the Russian Aerospace Forces have significantly advanced toward Deir ez-Zor from three directions, the Russian General Staff said earlier this week.

The lifting of siege of Deir ez-Zor will lead to the complete defeat of the most combat-effective formations of Daesh terrorist group in Syria, the chief of the Russian General Staff's Main Operational Directorate said on Friday.

Deir ez-Zor, located on the shores of the Euphrates River to the northeast of Damascus, and a military airfield near the city have been besieged by Daesh for over three years, with food and ammunition only being delivered by air.