The Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham’s (ISIS) bad week in Syria has only gotten worse in the Deir Ezzor Governorate after the Russian Air Force’s SU-24 fighter jets continued their relentless aerial campaign to assist the Syrian Arab Army’s soldiers combatting these encroaching militants.
On Thursday morning, ISIS launched another assault on the Syrian Arab Army’s defensive positions at the southeastern gates of the Deir Ezzor Military Airport; however, for the third time this week, the terrorist group was unable to break into this base, despite their repeated attempts.
Unable to infiltrate into the Deir Ezzor Military Airport, the terrorist group chose to withdraw from the aforementioned site towards the western bank of the Euphrates River in order to evade the Syrian Army’s artillery shells; but unfortunately for ISIS, they were given no relief from as the Russian Air Force chased them to Sakr Island.
In addition to their failed assault on the Deir Ezzor Military Airport, ISIS suffered heavy casualties inside Haweeja Al-Muri’iyah after the Syrian Arab Army’s 137th Artillery Brigade of the 17th Reserve Division – in coordination with the SAA’s 104th Airborne Brigade of the Republican Guard – launched a counter-assault to recapture the Potato Farms.
According to a military source from the 104th Airborne Brigade, ISIS has suffered over 200 casualties this week, including a week-high death toll of 90 after their failed bid to break into the provincial capital of Deir Ezzor.
Among the reported casualties was a high number of foreigns from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Jordan, Belgium, Indonesia, Kuwait, and Chechnya; this was reportedly confirmed to the Shaytat Tribesmen from civilians in the ISIS stronghold of Abukamaal.
The Shaytat Tribesmen reported to the Syrian Army that ISIS called on the civilians of Abukamaal to donate blood to their field hospitals in order to meet the high demand for their wounded fighters.