The Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) launched an assault utilizing a vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) at the eastern walls of the Deir Ezzor Military Airport at 12:00 A.M. on Friday morning. The ISIS fighter responsible for VBIED attack was driving a tank towards the eastern walls and then detonated his 6 ton bomb that damaged part of the Syrian Arab Army’s fortifications. The man driving the tank was “Abu Farouq Al-Leebi” (Libyan) – he was cited by pro-ISIS media for his “martyrdom” during the midnight attack.
Following the suicide attack on the eastern walls, another ISIS vehicle approached the gates of the Military Airport; however, it was destroyed approximately 40 meters away from its destination. ISIS fighters attempted to mount an attack on the Military Airport from afar, but they were repelled by the relentless mortar shells and gunfire from the SAA.
ISIS utilized the weather to their advantage on Friday morning, as the low visibility from the dense fog made it difficult for the SAA to spot the tank from a long distance. Due to the heavy rain and frigid temperatures on Thursday, ISIS called off their attacks on the Military Airport. According to a military source, the area around the Military Airport is calm and there has been no artillery fire since 2 A.M.
