After 3 days of nonstop besiegement, the Syrian Arab Army’s (SAA) 104th Airborne Brigade of the Republican Guard has forestalled the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham’s advance in the provincial capital of the Deir Ezzor Governorate after suffering significantly high casualties during their onslaught. The number of casualties reported by military sources in the Deir Ezzor Governorate has exceeded 200 dead ISIS fighters in the last 72 hours; while, the SAA has suffered a confirmed 43 soldiers killed-in-action (KIA).
On early Saturday morning, ISIS completely withdrew their forces from the mountains adjacent to the Deir Ezzor Military Airport following the 137th Brigade of the 17th Reserved Division’s counter-attack that resulted in the confirmed death of 84 militants. ISIS media sources reported the capture of the mountains last night and claimed to have killed dozens of 137th Brigade fighter, while taking control of multiple points; this was later denied by an SAA source who stated that ISIS killed 11 soldiers and captured 2 checkpoints in the south.
A loud explosion was heard at the Deir Ezzor Military Airport at 1 A.M. on Saturday morning that was believed to be VBIED attack by ISIS militants at the southern barrier of the base; it was later determined to be a rocket that struck one of the barricades. After the explosion, Firefights ensued southwest of the Military Airport before the violent exchange subsided 1 hour later. According to a member of the 104th Brigade, the soldiers defending the airport are in complete control of all perimeters and entry points inside the base – he further added that the soldiers combed through the surrounding area following sunrise.