Fergus Kelly

Syrian army and allies capture Deir Ezzor city as Iraqis seize key border crossing

The Syrian Arab Army and its allies captured Deir Ezzor city from Islamic State on Friday, November 3, a statement from the ministry of defense said. “After a series of meticulous operations, units of our armed forces, in cooperation with allied forces, completed their tasks in restoring security and stability to the entire city of Deir al-Zour,” the General Command of the Army and Armed Forces said. تحرير مدينة دير الزور بالكامل من إرهابيي تنظيم داعش والقضاء على أعداد كبيرة منهم https://t.co/sdIZyqDPaZ pic.twitter.com/46ika77LpZ — وزارة الدفاع السورية (@mod_gov_sy) November 3, 2017 Large numbers of ISIS fighters, including leaders and foreigners were “eliminated,” and engineering units are now combing the city to remove improvised explosive devices, mines and other booby traps left behind. The statement highlighted the strategic importance of the city as a node linking northern and eastern Syria with the more populous east, as well as its economic importance as an agricultural area and a major reservoir of oil and gas. The army said it will continue operations against ISIS and “other terrorist groups” until security and stability are restored across Syria. بيان صادر عن القيادة العامة للجيش والقوات المسلحة _ تحرير مدينة دير الزور 3-11-2017https://t.co/44lHrT3f7V — وزارة الدفاع السورية …