Smoke on the Euphrates: Syrian Army Decimates Daesh in Deir ez-Zor

The Syrian Army and the country's National Defense Force have reportedly managed to take full control two neighborhoods in Deir ez-Zor, eastern Syria's largest city, as well as a strategic route connecting a nearby city with an oilfield.

A key road has been won back by the Syrian Army and the country's National Defense Force (NDF) in eastern Syria's Deir ez-Zor province, where Syrian government forces continue to advance on Daesh (ISIL/ISIS) terrorists, according to the Iranian news agency FARS.

Dozens of terrorists were killed and many more wounded after the Syrian forces fully retook a key route linking the al-Tim oilfield to the city of al-Mayadin in Deir ez-Zor, FARS quoted sources as saying.

The advance came shortly after the Syrian Army and the NDF attacked Daesh strongholds based in two neighborhoods in the city of Deir ez-Zor with the help of the government forces' artillery units, sources said. 

Syria has been mired in a civil war since 2011, with forces loyal to the country's President Bashar Assad fighting a number of opposition factions and extremist groups, including Daesh and the al-Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front, which have been blacklisted as terrorist organizations by many countries, including Russia.

Footage #RuAF #Su34 returned from #Syria at the airbase #Russia pic.twitter.com/MspN73XvuJ

— Военный Советник (@miladvisor) 15 марта 2016 г.

In February 2015, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2268, endorsing a Russia-US agreement on the cessation of hostilities in Syria, shortly before the ceasefire came into force on February 27.

Preparation of Russian military group to fly home from #Hmeymim airbase #Syria pic.twitter.com/El1fGqMm43

— Военный Советник (@miladvisor) 15 марта 2016 г.

Between September 30, 2015 and March 14, 2016, the Syrian Army's anti-terror efforts were backed by an extensive Russian air campaign. During that period, more than fifty Russian warplanes, including Su-24M, Su-25 and Su-34 jets, executed precision airstrikes on Daesh and al-Nusra Front targets in Syria at the behest of President Assad.

BREAKING:The first group of Russian #Su34 bombers arrives home on #Baturlinovka airbase from #Syria pic.twitter.com/xfPTqcUhyC

— Военный Советник (@miladvisor) 15 марта 2016 г.

On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that the Russian Aerospace Forces unit had fulfilled their mission in Syria and its withdrawal would begin the following day.

Moscow will, however, maintain a military presence in Syria, although a deadline for a complete pullout has not yet been announced. Putin also indicated that Russian forces will remain at the port of Tartus and Hmeymim Airbase in Latakia.